I wrote about fatherhood a year ago as a tribute to my father who passed away five years ago and how much I miss him. This year, I want to comment about the fatherly influences that don't get acknowledged on this day.
Stepfathers
My hubby, Rob, is a fantastic father figure to my son, Kyle. Rob makes the effort to connect and relate to Kyle whether it be about sports or video games. Kyle also knows that if he were ever in trouble, he could count on Rob.
Brothers
My older brother, Greg, was in charge of our home when we got home from school and before our parents arrived home from work. He would round all four of us kids up, delegate chores, and lead the way. He didn't ask any one of us to do more than he was prepared to do. He is someone I've always looked up to and he leads a life that is exemplary. He is a hard worker, family man who obviously loves his wife and daughter tremendously. He holds only himself accountable for his actions.
My son, Kyle, is an amazing brother to both his sisters and his stepsister. He and the soon-to-be-son-in-law are firm friends and have formed a nucleus of family that will be steadfast beyond the years that we've been given. It is nice to know that he will always champion his sisters, be there for them with acts of kindness and be known for his positive spirit.
Uncles
My kids are really lucky. They have uncles that they can turn to and would and will always be there for them. Their Uncle Tom, who was the eldest of there own father's tribe, was kind, reflective and dolls out wisdom when asked, never forced. My brother, Greg, is an anchor for my daughter who ventured away from her home city, to seek her adulthood with the safety net of her uncle if needed. Handy with a screwdriver, he would put furniture together, move her out and then back in again. He is soft spoken and doesn't opinionate unless asked.
Friends
From that day when the high school adventure started, my son Kyle had firmly found a friend who has been there for him through what could have been turbulent years, to today, embracing him as one of the best friends to have and to be. His name is Kyle too. I like to think he sets the bar high for possibilities for Kyle to look up to showing that you can have it all - marriage, love, family, fatherhood.
Mothers
Don't think it is odd that I have included mothers in this commentary. After all, there are so many single mothers out in the world, due to multiple circumstances, who have the role of both mother AND father. They are the anchor in the home and if you ever wonder about the success of this environment, just watch the 60 Minutes Sports on Marshawn Lynch. A wonderful example of a mother's influence upon her son and the success that can unfold humbly yet fruitfully.
If you do one thing this weekend, check out "Beast Mode" @Beast Mode to support the charitable efforts of Marshawn Lynch through his "Family First Foundation". You will end up with some really cool threads at the same time, or it will be the gift that keeps on giving.
"If you are in your everyday life, and you feel like you just accomplished something big that you had going on, then that's Beast Mode. It's an accomplishment, that you put yourself through something to get something better out of it. I feel that that's Beast Mode. "
~Marshawn Lynch
