Father's Day

I am blessed to have an incredible dad. He has nurtured me, laughed with me, encouraged me, and has given me more good advice than I can list here.  I have friends who are fathers who are deeply involved in their children's lives. I recognize the importance of fatherhood.


I treasure each conversation I have with my dad, more so the older he gets, and now it has come home to me in a very real sense that my daughter will not have that.  Today is the first Father's Day of my child's life, and she does not have a father.  I knew this, when I chose to take the path I did - using donor insemination to have a child - but it was an abstract idea that I didn't fully understand. Now the reality has set in. This day brings conflicted emotions - and they've taken me a little by surprise.

Ellie won't have a positive relationship with a dad like I did. The flip side is that she won't have a negative relationship either, it's possible I'm telling myself that to make myself feel better. And she will have my dad.  He is an awesome grandfather to my niece and already has been bonding with Ellie via Skype.  I can't wait for her to meet him face to face in a couple months. And I am blessed to have several wonderful guys in my life - I hope to have Ellie love them like I do.

I'm grateful to have a few years to figure this out before Ellie is aware of Father's Day.

Until then, I wish everyone who is a father, a happy joyous day, you are immensely important in your children's lives. I wish my dad a very happy Father's Day, thank you for everything you have done.  And to those of you who have conflicted feelings about Father's Day, why-ever that might be, I wish you peace.