If you are a movie buff of any level, chances are there are some favorites that you’ve watched over and over again until you remember everything. While I recorded the day my daughter was born on video tape, that is one ‘movie’ I will always remember, even though I only saw it live, once. It was the day I became a father.
It was going on towards 3 a.m. and we had been at the hospital for more than 12 hours. I attended all but one of the birthing classes, prepared the nursery and felt like I had done my best to get ready for our new addition. Enya music played on my laptop and whatever Debbie asked for, I did my best to try and help.
When the time finally came for Anna to make her entrance, the doctor and the nurses got busy. Things went well, even though the doctor was forced to use a suction device to move her into place. At this point, I was in total awe of what was happening and probably as aware and awake as I had ever been. I mumbled ‘okay’ to the doctor, and resumed my position as the protective Dad, watching every movement with my eyes fixed on the young child about to make her way into the world.
When she came out and I knew Debbie was okay, I moved quickly to the table where the nurse cleaned her and helped her utter that first cry. I watched everything, waiting to step in at any sign of danger. I realize now this is what a father does, it is in our DNA. That’s how it started for me more than 16 years ago, and it is still the same today.
But, I stopped for a moment, did a little research online, and learned a bit more about how to care for what I assumed to be an abandoned fawn. We watched some throughout the night, but kept our distance knowing that the mother (and perhaps the father) would return to care for their baby. I like to think they left it there, feeling as though it were safe under our watchful eye. They had no idea.
This morning, I got up early and walked carefully to the woods to see how our young visitor was doing. It was gone. The cycle of life in nature worked as it has for thousands of years and this little fawn is off with its parents learning how to get along in the world. I was reminded that some time in the not too distant future, my little baby will go off to find her way in the world.
In a couple of days, we’ll celebrate Father’s Day. This means different things to different people, depending on how you embrace the responsibility of being a father (or better yet – a Dad). You might celebrate this day with a special dinner, some presents, a card, or maybe just a hug and a thank you. Fathers everywhere appreciate all these things.
For me, having Anna understand that there is nothing else in the world like the love of a father for his children will be enough. Knowing that our desire to nurture and protect them is something that ranks up there with the greatest forces in nature. Understanding these things would be a great Father’s Day present for any Dad. None of us have been perfect throughout the years, but on some level, we’ll always be there watching and ready to step in and protect as only a father can.
I hope you’ll take time to remember your father this Sunday, and if he is still around, share something special with him however you can. If you’d like to send him something sweet, visit our website and see if there is anything we can send that might make him feel special. I guarantee that I’ll personally look over every package that goes out, making sure that everything is just right, as fathers do.