Fathers Day

Father’s Day

Yesterday was Father’s Day and it got me to thinking about fathers and their influence on our lives. We are all shaped by our fathers, whether they were an active participant in our lives or not. Some are there physically, but are not there emotionally. Others are not there at all leaving a void in our lives. And then there are those fathers that are both physically and emotionally present. They pay attention to all of our needs and when they make a mistake they are able to admit it and apologize for it.

In my case my dad was there and he was involved in my life for the most part. Though when I turned 13 he turned most of my care over to my mother, I always felt like he distanced himself from me at the most critical time in my development. I spent most of my teen years trying to gain his approval and love. He was very critical of everything I did and nothing I did was ever good enough. I still feel the effects of that today, anything less than 100% is not good enough, one mistake is one mistake too many. It has shaped me into the person I am today, though at times I am insecure and will be too hard on myself. I realize that it has also made me an incredibly hard worker, I don’t settle for ok work, I give my best to everything I do.

So thanks Dad for making in to the strong, determined person I am today!