Joys & Pain of Fatherhood

THE JOY AND PAIN OF FATHERHOOD

BY

JAMES E. HARRIS

Daddy Looking Casket Sharp!

The joys of fatherhood, words cannot even begin describing how great it feels to be a father. However pictures will do the trick because a picture is worth a thousand words.

Fatherhood is a big responsibility that many men do not want to be a part of. Sharing experiences, life lessons, special moments, and emotions are what being a responsible father is about including just being there for your child.

Pain is not having those pictures of your children as they were growing up. Pain is not being there for them when they really need you. Not seeing my oldest son play his first high school football game brought much pain to my heart. Not being there when my oldest daughter went on her first date broke my heart into a thousand pieces. See, I have come to realize that my problem was that I placed more value on money than I did love. What I mean is I was under the impression that if I did not take my children places like six flags and other places that many other parents were taking their children that my children would not love me. Boy was I wrong all they want was to be with their dad.

Dad With Caleb and Gabby 

Daddy with Jovante & Jonquavious at his Graduation

Men the best thing you can do when you love your children and you are not there with them is to pray. The saying prayer changes things is so very true. After all my mistakes of not being there for my children God gave them two loving grandparents, my Mother and Father. These two never let my children say a bad thing about me and they never let me forget my children. They said to me “no matter what pray and God will work it out.” You know what? They were right. Even though I do not have pictures of them when they were children, even though I never got to see my oldest son play in his first high school football game, and even though I was not there when my oldest daughter went on her first date, God has given me something so much better. He has given me their love and forgiveness plus another chance to be there for them as well as them for me.

Daddy with the newest addition to the family Amir 

Grandparents at Tamisha's Baby Shower 

My son and I hang out some times and my oldest daughter and I went on our first date a few years ago, those are the things that bring joy in the midst of life’s pain. So men if you are not there with them and you want to be part of their lives JUST DO IT!!!! Never let money or the lack of money stand in your way. Be there! Never let talk from other people stop you from sharing in the pain and joy of fatherhood.

Daddy with Me at My Book Signing 

Daddy on Left at  My oldest brother's Wedding 

 To Learn More About The Power of Healing a Broken Relationship read A Daughter's Forgiveness