Think a Happy Thought – Fatherhood!

Today we’re giving a big shout-out to Fathers around the world.
Way to go dads!

In the USA, this Sunday is Father’s Day – a day to reflect on and appreciate the important role of fathers both in our lives and in society. And while the day may be designated as such here, it’s applicable the world over.

I love being a dad!

My own father passed away when I was just 3 years old. And that’s had a HUGE impact on my life. My mom had to carry a tremendous load and she’s done a wonderful job. I love her a ton and feel I’ve been greatly blessed to have a great mom.

But I’ve also wondered all my life how things would have been different had that event not occurred. I’ve never been bitter about it, but I’ve often longed for a father to turn to. Even now in my current stage of live I have those longings.

And I think this big part of my life has made me appreciate the role of fathers even more and has helped make me a better father.

One of my favorite movies is “Hook” with Robin Williams as Peter Pan. It’s such a neat movie. And even though I’ve seen it a bunch of times, there’s a part in the movie where I can’t help from crying. Even writing about it now I can fell those wonderful emotions.

In the movie, Peter has grown up and now has a family with 2 kids. Captain Hook kidnaps his children and Peter goes back to Never-land to find them. Only he’s not the same as he was before and doesn’t remember anything. He’s all business and serious and just wants his kids back. With a showdown with Captain Hook eminent, Peter needs to learn how to fly – but he just can’t.

It turns out that in order to fly, you have to think happy thoughts. And he just can’t do it until he finally remembers what his most happy thought was from years ago when he was a Lost Boy. His happiest thought was about fathers. He wanted to be a father and that was his happiest thought.

When I first saw the movie, that hit me so profoundly. I immediately connected and understood those same feelings.

That was me!

I had always dreamed of the day when I could be a father. I yearned to be a father so much!

Without a role model, I’d have to just do the best I could. I’d keep it as my highest priority and put my best efforts into it.

And as I watched “Hook” that first time, I wondered if I had turned into that same Peter. Had I forgotten what I had looked forward to for so long? With a family started, had I gotten caught up in the drudgery of all the responsibilities that come with fatherhood?

If so, then it was time to change! Like Peter Pan, it was time for me to remember my happy thought and find the joy in being a father. Because when you do, you can really fly!

Every time I watch the movie, those same emotions come crashing back. And I love it because I’m again reminded of where my highest priority lies and to find joy in it.

It makes me so sad when men have the chance to be a father and squander it or run from it. My heart aches for those children and their mother. I have a glimpse into their feelings and I ache for them. I wish we could wave a magic wand and get those men to step up and shoulder their awesome responsibility to father.

Being a father is wonderful and immensely important – and hard. And I’m so grateful every day that I have the chance to be a father.

 

(Now I’ve got the urge to watch “Hook” again and reconnect with mine and Peter’s happy thought.)