This is to the greatest leaders of them all, our fathers.
I don't mean our fore fathers I mean our fathers, our dads, and our first buddies.
They are our heroes and everything we aspire to be.
We look up to them, and as small little tots we put on their clothes and shoes.
We sit on their laps while they guide our hands on the steering wheel and shows us how to drive on a motionless car in the driveway.
They play catch with us and video tape all our games and events.
They teach us how to shave, tie a Windsor knot, and shine our shoes.
They make sure we go to church on Sunday to give thanks for our many blessings.
They give us advice on the big game and pointers on how to romance the girl next door.
When life gets hard they are there to support and guide us through it all.
Yes our dads are great leaders; their job is to turn us from boys to men and it's easy.
A father has a great responsibility of ensuring that his family stays strong throughout life's challenges.
Yet, he could only accomplish this when he himself is healthy, wise, and strong.
What happens if he doesn't maintain a regimen of self discipline and strength? He will eventually fail in his leadership and those under his care will suffer the consequences.
For me I did not have all of the ball catching and shoe shining experiences because my dad made some bad choices and as a result I was left without a positive male role model to follow.
Most of my childhood experiences were uneventful due to his absence.
I was left with a pain feeling that to this day i have been able to shake off.
I recently wrote a letter to my dad but I have never mailed it because I don't know where he is.
This letter is mainly my cry for hope.
It's an aspiration of one day seeing him but also it's a course in what not to do to yourself or family.
I hope that what you are about to read inspires you to become a better father and reminds you to be careful of the decisions you make.
This letter expresses the effects of my dad's absence on me.
I believe that I am not alone in my sentiments.
A Letter to My Father Daddy I miss you Where are you? Are you safe? Are you hungry? Can I come and see you? Do you want to see me? Why didn't you ever mention me when you wrote letters to mommy? I've always wondered about that.
It burns to think that you don't love me or that you are disappointed with me for what ever reason.
I'm 37 years old now and we haven't spoken as father & son since I was about 10 years old.
Remember that day daddy, when you came to my school to see me.
You gave me two dollars and kissed me; that was the last day we were together.
The time with you was just for a moment but I remember it always.
You didn't see me again after that time but I saw you.
You see daddy, let me explain.
I became a Christian and preacher years after your last visit but you never knew it was me.
I spoke to you many times during the winter and summer nights and brought you food to eat; but I was too afraid to let you know who I was.
You were trapped in your world and I felt powerless to help you.
I am sorry I didn't tell you I was your son.
I must admit that I was ashamed of what you have become.
You were once my hero and now you roam the city streets alone and with no place to lay your head.
The demon in the bottle stole our years and memories.
You gave up your dignity and catered to your addiction.
Your new found liquid god enslaves your soul and keeps you internally incarcerated.
Your decisions separated us and wounded our relationship.
But I am here to say that I still miss you and part of me earnestly needs your fatherly love, strength, and advice.
I don't feel complete without you.
Father's day is really difficult.
I wish for us to be a normal family.
O how I've dreamed of days when you would walk through the front door and say hey son how was school today? The pain of your absence is a searing pain; like if I am on fire.
Your presence now would be like a rain shower that extinguishes the flames and stops the pain.
Daddy, where are you? I want to tell you that I am your son now.
I regret not telling you when I had the chance to do so.
I want to let you know that I love you and that I am doing okay; God has really blessed me.
I have a family of my own now.
I have great wife, a daughter name Hannah, and a son.
His name is Andrew, I named him after you.
When I call out his name I am also calling out for you.
I wish you were here; I need you more than you would ever know.
The years without you have been cold and dark, and I need your warmth and light to keep me going.
My eyes are longing to see your face.
My ears are closing because they don't hear your voice.
I need you to come and energize my soul.
I need you to be my father and I want to be your son.
Can you come and visit me again daddy, just like you did when I was 10? I will wait for you right by the steps of my old school.
I will be sitting there until you come.
Is 3:00 okay daddy? To all those that read this, I sincerely hope that you remember that your influence has a profound affect on those around you.
To the fathers I say to you please maintain self discipline and don't let addictions steal your dignity.
Your sons, daughters, and wives need for you to be strong against the temptations of life.
Stay on your guard and don't fail your responsibilities as a leader, father, and a daddy.
Be a warrior and a protector to what you hold dear.
Sons and daughters, take the time to speak to your dad and let him know that you love and care for him deeply.
Do it today because you only get one shot at it; make it a good one.
I don't mean our fore fathers I mean our fathers, our dads, and our first buddies.
They are our heroes and everything we aspire to be.
We look up to them, and as small little tots we put on their clothes and shoes.
We sit on their laps while they guide our hands on the steering wheel and shows us how to drive on a motionless car in the driveway.
They play catch with us and video tape all our games and events.
They teach us how to shave, tie a Windsor knot, and shine our shoes.
They make sure we go to church on Sunday to give thanks for our many blessings.
They give us advice on the big game and pointers on how to romance the girl next door.
When life gets hard they are there to support and guide us through it all.
Yes our dads are great leaders; their job is to turn us from boys to men and it's easy.
A father has a great responsibility of ensuring that his family stays strong throughout life's challenges.
Yet, he could only accomplish this when he himself is healthy, wise, and strong.
What happens if he doesn't maintain a regimen of self discipline and strength? He will eventually fail in his leadership and those under his care will suffer the consequences.
For me I did not have all of the ball catching and shoe shining experiences because my dad made some bad choices and as a result I was left without a positive male role model to follow.
Most of my childhood experiences were uneventful due to his absence.
I was left with a pain feeling that to this day i have been able to shake off.
I recently wrote a letter to my dad but I have never mailed it because I don't know where he is.
This letter is mainly my cry for hope.
It's an aspiration of one day seeing him but also it's a course in what not to do to yourself or family.
I hope that what you are about to read inspires you to become a better father and reminds you to be careful of the decisions you make.
This letter expresses the effects of my dad's absence on me.
I believe that I am not alone in my sentiments.
A Letter to My Father Daddy I miss you Where are you? Are you safe? Are you hungry? Can I come and see you? Do you want to see me? Why didn't you ever mention me when you wrote letters to mommy? I've always wondered about that.
It burns to think that you don't love me or that you are disappointed with me for what ever reason.
I'm 37 years old now and we haven't spoken as father & son since I was about 10 years old.
Remember that day daddy, when you came to my school to see me.
You gave me two dollars and kissed me; that was the last day we were together.
The time with you was just for a moment but I remember it always.
You didn't see me again after that time but I saw you.
You see daddy, let me explain.
I became a Christian and preacher years after your last visit but you never knew it was me.
I spoke to you many times during the winter and summer nights and brought you food to eat; but I was too afraid to let you know who I was.
You were trapped in your world and I felt powerless to help you.
I am sorry I didn't tell you I was your son.
I must admit that I was ashamed of what you have become.
You were once my hero and now you roam the city streets alone and with no place to lay your head.
The demon in the bottle stole our years and memories.
You gave up your dignity and catered to your addiction.
Your new found liquid god enslaves your soul and keeps you internally incarcerated.
Your decisions separated us and wounded our relationship.
But I am here to say that I still miss you and part of me earnestly needs your fatherly love, strength, and advice.
I don't feel complete without you.
Father's day is really difficult.
I wish for us to be a normal family.
O how I've dreamed of days when you would walk through the front door and say hey son how was school today? The pain of your absence is a searing pain; like if I am on fire.
Your presence now would be like a rain shower that extinguishes the flames and stops the pain.
Daddy, where are you? I want to tell you that I am your son now.
I regret not telling you when I had the chance to do so.
I want to let you know that I love you and that I am doing okay; God has really blessed me.
I have a family of my own now.
I have great wife, a daughter name Hannah, and a son.
His name is Andrew, I named him after you.
When I call out his name I am also calling out for you.
I wish you were here; I need you more than you would ever know.
The years without you have been cold and dark, and I need your warmth and light to keep me going.
My eyes are longing to see your face.
My ears are closing because they don't hear your voice.
I need you to come and energize my soul.
I need you to be my father and I want to be your son.
Can you come and visit me again daddy, just like you did when I was 10? I will wait for you right by the steps of my old school.
I will be sitting there until you come.
Is 3:00 okay daddy? To all those that read this, I sincerely hope that you remember that your influence has a profound affect on those around you.
To the fathers I say to you please maintain self discipline and don't let addictions steal your dignity.
Your sons, daughters, and wives need for you to be strong against the temptations of life.
Stay on your guard and don't fail your responsibilities as a leader, father, and a daddy.
Be a warrior and a protector to what you hold dear.
Sons and daughters, take the time to speak to your dad and let him know that you love and care for him deeply.
Do it today because you only get one shot at it; make it a good one.