Sunday, June 15, 2014

ODE TO FATHERHOOD

St. Helena, CA


Chip says he wants to change the world, with a "we can DO this" sort of earnestness that would seem misguided if you didn't know him. What he doesn't realize is that he already has changed the world. He is part of a new brotherhood of fathers who have decided to get in the game. And they didn't just run out onto the field. They built a new stadium.

With some mysterious collective consciousness, these new dads decided to face down their fathers' demons: machismo, violence, stoicism and emotional unavailability, to name a few. They revolutionized fatherhood, making it vibrantly relevant, and have left a game plan where there wasn't one before, one already being followed by a young generation.

Chip embraces fatherhood with a rare passion and mad skills that he learned on the raucous field of parenthood. He's not afraid to get right in there, shoulder to shoulder with the kids, seeing their best selves and helping them get there. He's not afraid to show them how much he loves them, to be proud of them or to weep because of it. He taught Casey and Dylan how to make wise decisions, to use their instincts and how to live with purpose and self-reflection. He teaches them by his actions that there's a greater good, and that the universe is better when we contribute to it.

Thank you, Chip, for continually investing so much of yourself in changing the world, for setting a new high standard of manhood for Dylan and Casey.

Thank you, to Chip's brothers in arms for living, loving and learning alongside your kids, elevating them and by proxy every generation to come. The world is a better place because of you.



What will our children do in the morning if they do not see us fly? --Rumi

1 comment:

  1. Amen! My husband is doing the same thing. He even works right along side our son, and never would he chastise or belittle him anywhere much less at work with the co-workers as his own father seems to do on a regular basis. If my husband were asked to describe his father he'd say, crotchety, grumpy, critical, brash, and thinks he's the king. My husband is proving to our kids that you don't have to be like that to be a father. It's an example for our son to grow up to be, but also an example for our daughter in what type of spouse to look for when looking.

    I applaud these men!

    ReplyDelete