Truly see your father when you become one

Growing up I was brought up by my father so I had the natural respect a child has of his father (my role model). I looked to my father for guidance and direction, I would copy his behaviours (good and bad) as my map to man hood. My father, being a solo parent, would work hard to support my brother and I and when he would get home he would be too tied to talk, he would cook a basic dinner for all of us and sit down to his paper or TV.

I grew up to become a hard worker with little to say, especially to my father.

I then became a father and parent, the proudest moments of my life. Years later while looking at my children growing up, not knowing my father I had a sinking feeling, it dawned on me that everything I have felt for my children from birth to current date was just what my father had felt for my brother and I. I looked at my children just hanging out with me, and I thought, I would be devastated if my children stopped talking to me.

My children have not seen me be a son, only a father; I was not showing them how a son behaves with his father, with the show of respect for the years of love and support that were unconditionally given.

I never truly saw my father until I stopped to see what it is to be a father from my children's eyes

Call your father