Where's My Daddy?

Where's my daddy?

Last night at my daughter's game, I observed as one of her teammates left the batter's mound and beckoned for her MOM to come to the fence.

As her MOM approached, she asked one simple question: "WHERE's MY DADDY?" This was the same question my daughter asked me, moments before (her dad was one the way).

Both of her parents had just arrived to the game, and while she saw MOM, she didn't see her DAD. Now her parents are very active and engaged, and primarily, always there; but in that moment I thought about the little BOYS and GIRLS who always see MOM, and rarely, if ever, see their DAD.

How HEART BREAKING must it be to never see DADDY show up at a ball game, recital, or school function.

I imagined the look of disappointment on little BOYs' and GIRLs' faces, who sit waiting for DAD to show up, and he NEVER does. I know what it's like to hold a CHILD in my arms and wipe their TEAR streaming eye because DAD let him/her down.

I thought about the adult kids, who still long for the LOVE of a father; a LOVE I have always known, yet I show empathy.

For those FATHERS who never leave your children wondering where DADDY is, I thank you. To those who have space to do better, I appeal to YOU to think about how YOU felt or would've felt not having YOUR DAD around.

Men, YOU are the FOUNDATION of a home and YOUR presence helps a CHILD to define and establish his or her footings in life. YOUR absence creates room for questions of, "AM I NOT WORTHY?" of a FATHER's LOVE.

As easy as their MOM makes things look, I will be the first to say, it's NOT! We shouldn't bare the load alone. We need YOU to do YOUR part. Regardless of the relationship status with your CHILD's mom, your CHILD(REN) need(s) you PRESENT.

Please DON'T leave him/her wondering where is my DAD!

Make SURE, like this little girl, when she does something good, YOUR CHILD can look in the stands and see DAD smiling and saying, I'M PROUD OF YOU!