Lange Svehlak
The Athens Review
Athens —
I want to put a little different spin on what Father’s Day is about for me. Normally when we think of Father’s Day, people think of it as the day we honor our Dads. This is true, and Dad’s do deserve recognition, some more than others. But we won’t get into that.
For me, I see it as a day to reflect on what an honor it is for me to be a Dad.
I was fortunate growing up to have a wonderful family and Father. I have been blessed with a wonderful wife and daughter, and a son on the way in July.
Being a Dad is an honor that us Dad’s will only understand. At least I hope I’m not the only one.
The first time you lay eyes on that miracle that you had a hand in, your life changes. There is a little something inside that will never be the same. Some are thinking, Yeah, for the worse. If that is you, keep reading and maybe this will open your eyes.
What an honor to be responsible for one of God’s miracles. It’s an honor to see that first smile, hear their first words, watch their first steps, listen to them laugh, and to see them grow and prosper.
The honor is of being responsible for another person’s life, and to realize the dependency they have on you. It does my heart good to have my daughter run up to me when I get home, and say “hi daddy, I love you.”
No matter how long or tough the day was, it all goes away in an instant.
I was recently posed the question: What do you know now that you didn’t five years ago?
One of my answers was how much being a parent would change my life. You may be wondering how that is. Well, aside from the obvious, I now have someone that is dependent on me. There is a voice in the back of my mind telling me “Is that really a good idea?”
The idea involves choices made in day-to-day life. Those choices involve simple things, like putting on a seatbelt, and taking care of myself. These hold more weight than ever before.
This also occurred when I married my beautiful bride. I have people that are counting on me to be there for them. It’s not just about me anymore. Everything I do, I try to first consider my wife and daughter, and to determine how it may affect them.
When I say I feel being a Dad is an honor, I truly mean it. Yes, I know there are hard times where you just want to pull your hair out, or maybe their’s. These are the times that make you stronger as a person and a parent.
Being a father is a big responsibility that needs to be taken very serious. At the same time I hope I am not the only one that feels being a father is an honor.
Dads – Get out there and spend some time with your kids. That’s not meant to be time in front of the TV or video game. It means to get outside and have some fun.
Lead by example, and remember that they are watching every move you make. How they see you treat others is how they will treat others. But more important than that, this is how they will expect to be treated. I’m going to leave that one with you to think about.
Happy Fathers Day to all the Dads out there.
Lange Svehlak is Publisher of the Athens Daily Review.
