I for one am a Father of three children. I have two daughters and a son. My children's ages range from twelve years old to eighteen years old. My eighteen year old daughter and my fifteen year old daughter are from my first marriage and have lived with me all their lives.
I have taught them to ride their bicycles, kissed their boo boos till they didn't hurt any more and yes, I even helped my daughters play dress up and barbies.
I taught them to never tease or show any aggression towards those who are different, instead joining with them and befriending them as they undoubtedly will be their best friends in most cases. I have even showed them to have compassion for lesser creatures such as animals and even insects.
Now I am faced with my children wanting to move away from me.
With my oldest it is understandable. She is in college, has a child of her own and works hard, but her affection for her father seems to have waned in some ways. This past father's day I received a text from her, "Happy Father's Day" end text.
My youngest daughter is now wanting to move in with her mother who rarely calls or comes to see her, and pays her child support even less often. Her mother is moving out of state and my daughter will go with her. My baby girl whom I home schooled at an early age, served as President of the Parents Committee and volunteered for many other events to benefit her and her class mates. These things earned me several awards not the least of which was Parent of the Year as well as Outstanding Father of the Year. Now she wants to leave.
I have not stopped her from ever seeing her mother. I have never held child support over her mother's head to keep her from seeing her children. I have never spoken ill of their mother even when she broke many dates with them when they were small. I did however console them when their hearts were broken because of it.
I have a hard time understanding why they would want to leave. I have a hard time understanding why they have turned so cold to me. Perhaps its just that they have taken for granted that I have always been there and know that I will be here for them until I am no longer living. No matter what they do, where they go, or who they befriend, I will always be here for them. I know this, they know this. I just hope they realize how important family can be while I am alive.
I hope that all of you do well with your families. Take nothing for granted. Every single moment can be a special moment that they will remember forever. Create those moments, do things together. Never be too busy, or wait till tomorrow, or push them away because you have a headache. Your heart will ache more if you do.
God bless you all.