I just had a really strange reaction to something and my first thought was to take to the blog and share it.
Every month, I get an update from Will’s school with all the coming activites for the month. They do ‘theme weeks’ and it’s totally and completely adorable. This week is the ‘ocean’ and then next week is ‘fruits’. Tuesday, they’re all trying different kinds of fruits. I wish I could go! Will has an apetite like no other – he’ll eat anything. I’m quite certain he’ll hoover back every slice of fruit on his plate.
The third week of June, as you can imagine, is Father’s Day week. And I have no idea why, but I read it and started to cry. I felt sucker punched…uh oh here I go again. You know my feel on the Hallmark Holidays – so it’s not the actual day that’s getting me. And trust me I KNOW that he doesn’t understand what’s up and that on the Thursday when everyone brings in pictures of their dads, he won’t get that he doesn’t have one. But what about when he’s five? Or when he’s eight and everyone’s dad’s are at their soccer games but he doesn’t have one?
I do have a picture of his father – he’s very handsome. But it’s not really appropriate to send in because it’s not his ‘dad’ – know what I mean? I’m going to send in a picture of his grandpa and when they make the ‘special father’s day’ gifts, I’m going to ask that it says Grandpa on whatever they paint. But for some reason, it’s leaving me hollow.
I will admit that right after that email, I read my friend Craig’s facebook status about a dude doing tai chi in the park while smoking a cigarette….and I laughed really hard and remembered that Will will always have a ton of super interesting, hilarious ‘dad’ role models around. Maybe he can make twenty ties or whatever they’re cooking up on the craft table!!
**This shot has NOTHING to do with this post – but it makes me laugh so I’m sharing. Although when I think of it, just like he has no idea he doesn’t have a dad…he also has no freaking clue who Run DMC are and how awesome it was that I found a baby sized shirt at Target (and a replacement toddler sized one in NYC last week!!!)
Thanks Harperette! Ioooooved this comment.
I agree with Christina. Give them a picture of you! From having no ‘mother’ growing up (and now that I am a mother to two myself, I cannot fathom leaving my children…bahhh!) but seriously, Mother’s Day was always a crazy time at school, and I decided in grade 3 to simply make the ‘Best Mom’ frame that the class was making, and put my DAD’s picture in it. The teacher thought it was cute, and everyone knew I had the BEST ‘Mr.Mom’ in school. When your little guy does get older, you tell him that having the BEST mom, means he doesn’t have to share you!
I agree with the first caller. Send a picture of you.
I worked at a facility where there was a family like yours. A mom had b/g twins.
She called them her “sperm bank babies”…
Anyways – we always did something from them for their Grandpa.
Maybe something for your Dad?
We all wish we could give our kids everything and protect them for all things sad and hard but the truth is that this is part of who he is and his life is rich and full of love. xo
I wish I knew the right thing to say. No, he doesn’t have a father…so, yes, the day might be hard for him in the future. but yeah, it’s just a day. He’s got 364 other days with an amazing mom to make up for it
🙂
I totally agree with Jason….wasn’t dada one of his first words and he said it you?
thanks Jason – sweetest comment…
Aw shucks SL, I say give him a picture of you and let him know you are lucky enough to play both roles in this crazy stage play we call life. Lord knows you live up to both parts.
Cheers,
J.