A Poetic Visit and Reminder of Blessed Fatherhood

 

(Jace practices his “Wasssuupp” skills in this video. Maybe he will make a commercial one day. Notice how hard Lisa is trying not to laugh.)

CeeCee (Diana) and G-Daddy (Jim Jr.) came this past weekend to visit Knoxville for work, fun activities, and grandchild entertainment. We always enjoy having them nearby and involved so frequently with our kids. Each moment with them is precious and hopefully not taken for granted in the many bestowed blessings they give. I am reminded of how magnificent these tiny humans are through their interactions with my parents. As the observer, I marvel at the reactions of Annabelle and Jace with others, rather than being the person who initiates these interactions. The social reality of their brilliance captivates my attention as I cognitively thank God for my two tiny humans.

Please enjoy the following poem with further refined thoughts and observations of fatherhood.  

A Fatherhood State of Mind

The hero of the night

The hero of the day

I confront their fears.

I wipe away their tears.

The answer seems clear

I resolve the troubles

I never back down

I am right here.

 

Unexpected but necessary

Annabelle arrived.

Cute, precious, and heart-throbbing

Sliding into the hospital bed

I never saw an infant angel

Before this heavenly encounter.

 

Two years later

Stubborn but determined

Blessed and yet tested

Patience wearing thin

Then God speaks

“Remember – fruits of the Spirit.”

 

I hear those magic words:

“Thank you, Daaadddy.”

Daddy’s little girl

Earns her title.

I am growing older

And certainly not younger.

 

I can barely walk

Exhausted in the responsibilities

Of increasing costs

With no rested relief.

Then another crybaby comes

Who longs to be held.

 

Never alone

Never missing the action

Jace woos

Jace coos

Jace oohs

I feel needed and loved.

 

In the most radical

Of relinquished freedom

Children never hold me back.

They inspire me forward.

I push barriers

Released from the stress.

 

One smile

One jubilant memory

One conscious awareness

One play

One tickle

Another reminder

 

To feel abundant love.

No longer self-serving

I only have time

To think of you.

No longer just me,

You impact all I do.

 

Focused attention

On the family,

I feel the majesty

In the vivacity

Of my magic reality

I live forever happily.

 

To the fathers

That left children behind,

You are missing out.

You will never know

What you lost

When you retreated.

 

I am not

The coward who gives up

Who fails

Who runs away.

I stayed present

Because I am their hero.

 

The hero of the night

The hero of the day

I confront their fears.

I wipe away their tears.

The answer seems clear

I resolve the troubles

I never back down

I am right here.

 

2/24/23

*Below you can view some of our latest photos and moments with our kids and extended family.

(Annabelle helps the employees and learns to work on Daddy’s bike at Harper’s Bicycle Shop in Knoxville, Tennessee.)

(“We celebrate Christmas every day of the year!”)

(Annabelle often likes to wear her toboggans and gloves inside….a fun habit of hers.) 

(Yes, the University of Tennessee beat South Carolina twice this season by over forty points.)

(Dad came to visit for the weekend and went to the game with me.)

(Annabelle loves all things Micky Mouse related, including Donald Duck.)

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