What is a father?

What is a Father A father is a man that practices daily sacrifice, he puts self and ego and his dreams on a shelf and locks it away until he has given you the world. A father works hard at his job for his family, gets home from work late and goes to work again; homework inspection, pulling your blanket up, fixing your bicycle and sometimes braiding or attempting to fix his daughter's hair, poorly. Father's go to the store or a mall to get a new pair of shoes or suit that he desperately needs but returns with something for his child that his child doesn't need just yo see that smile and gets that hug that fuels his soul. Father's know the words to Finding Nemo, Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs, Beauty and the Beast and finishes watching it even after his child falls asleep in his lap. A father challenges you, sometimes angers you, motivates you, disciplines you, protects you but always loves you. Father's go to bed at 1am wake up at 3am to feed their newborn, sleeps for 2 hours wakes back up at 5 kisses you while you sleep and goes to work. A father loses his job but his child never knows because he is the greatest insulator so you never want for anything. Fathers comes into their child's room sits on the bed while tears run down his eyes thinking how beautiful you are and wishes he could keep you his baby forever. Fathers sit at the kitchen table while his child does homework even though he is clueless about the homework, he fakes it, encourages you and when he doesn't know the answer sternly tells you to pay attention in class. Father's tells you there is no monster in your room and that there is nothing to be afraid of and when you insist there is he lays down beside you, holds you tight and falls asleep with you. Fathers make pancakes that may look funny taste better than anything. Fathers are not just father's to their own but to any youth that cross their path in need of mentoring, direction or encouragement. Fathers don't look for thanks, applause or gifts they receive all they need from their children's smile, laughter and joy. Fathers run beside you on your first bicycle ride for as long as they can. He watches you until you finally get your balance, confidence and bearings and move beyond him independent of his constant presence. As he watches you ride away with bittersweet emotions you move forward and steady. This early separation, this first bike ride prepares him emotionally for when you leave for summer camp, college and marriage knowing that he has poured everything he could into you from his heart, sweat and love. Fathers have conversations with you at six years old that you may not fully understand until your thirty six and when you do that is when you realize how much he really loves you. Fatherhood is a minimum of 6,570 days which is eighteen years. Ray Davis Fatherhood6570 It is never too late to reconnect to your child