Weekend Fathers are true heroes
How a special message made me feel a proud dad again
On Father’s day, many fathers share photos with their kids making breakfast, giving presents, and expressing their love and gratitude for being a father.
I am writing this article because a forgotten group of fathers, feels lonely today and is struggling to make it through the day. Fathers who have lost their kids, dads who have gone through or are going through an emotional divorce, fathers who can’t take care of their kids because of their financial problems, or even worse, struggling with drugs and alcohol to deal with their frustration. I have been part of this special group of dads that I call Weekend Fathers.
It’s easy for people to judge, but the outside world does not always understand the reality. Regardless their impossible situation, they love their kids too, they miss their warmth and hugs, the smiles and their energy playing in the garden. Kids are a mirror to any parent.
When I looked at myself in the mirror on this day, I remembered a moment when I was able to break through my feeling of guilt and emotions, that I carried along for a long time as a Weekend Father. The worst moment in my life was the one that my kids were taken away from me. This broke my heart and still hurts when I think of it. How was I able to live with this? Well, it took me several years, and to be honest, it is still a sensitive element in my life.
On a special Father’s day a few years ago, I was able to see things differently.
When my kids were brought to me during Father’s day weekend a few years ago and with just 5,69 euro left on my bank account, something speical happened. My oldest son gave me a drawing with a personal note, it said: ”I love you forever and I am so proud of you. You will bounce back.”
This drawing managed to isolate my previous line of thinking and focus entirely on my kids, play with them, hug and enjoy the moment. Time stood still and there was no room anymore for worries. On the Sunday evening when the kids were picked up again, a moment that was always very hard for me, I felt the warmth in my heart again. A proud dad.
Weekend Fathers are in my opinion true heroes with exceptional challenges. They did not sign up for it, but life provided them with their role. That’s why I want to share this message with you, that these special dads may not be forgotten, not just on this day, but never again. If you know a Weekend Father in your network, give them a call, send them a message, and share your love today in the comments or likes.
Love to my fellow Weekend Fathers!