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Father's Day for the Fatherless

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with Beam & Branch Realty TREC #547752

For many, Father’s Day is tough. When a father has passed, or perhaps divorce has fractured the family, or, maybe you were one of those who never knew your father, this day can create many emotions. I can relate as I never knew my biological father. Over my lifetime, it has certainly caused me to ask many questions.

What I can say is that despite not knowing my earthly father, I have been blessed by many other “fathers” in my life. Fathers can come in many forms such as dear friends, uncles, husbands, and of course, our heavenly Father. When we have known great father role models in our lives, we are truly beyond blessed. In my life, I have been covered by a father’s love in many forms.

Christ – When I came to truly know my Savior, Jesus Christ when I was 17 years old, I knew that this Father was the One who would never leave nor forsake me. Even at this early age, I knew within every fiber that I am, He would be the only Father figure I needed. I am grateful that He came into my life at that time. And, it was just before finding out about my real, biological father that I had never met. I believe this was divine timing that helped me navigate the future of this revelation.

My Stepfather – My mother married a wonderful man who took me in as his own. He showed me great care and took care of our family. He made my mother happy and that was important.

Uncles – I had two favorite Uncles who also stepped in and showed me amazing, fatherly love. I am thankful for both Uncle Frank and Uncle Don who loved me unconditionally.

My husband – Mark came into my life and loved me enough to not walk away when he realized if he married me at the age of 50, he would be raising another child. When my grandson was born into tough circumstances, he didn’t blink an eye and married me with an infant to raise. This, in my opinion, ranks right up there with top, fatherly devotion. For 13 years, he has been a wonderful father to this little boy. What a beautiful gift.

Fathers can come in many different ways into our lives. I am thankful for the men who have stepped into my life. I pray for those who are “fatherless” this Father’s Day, that you take a moment to reflect on the fathers who have entered your life, who may still be there, and for those who may be waiting to come alongside you. Be blessed in knowing that there is a Father who is available to all of us whenever we call upon Him. He is there waiting with open arms. You never, ever need to be Fatherless!

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Comments(15)

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Ed Silva, 203-206-0754
Mapleridge Realty, CT 203-206-0754 - Waterbury, CT
Associate Real Estate Broker

While it may not take a lot of character for some to father a child, it does take a man to be a father. You were fortunate to have father-like figures in your life and like that grandson, that is me to 2 boys that love as if we were blood.

Jun 16, 2024 10:43 AM
Dr. Paula McDonald
Beam & Branch Realty - Granbury, TX
Granbury, TX 936-203-0279

Oh, Ed Silva, 203-206-0754 - how fortunate for those two boys in your life. Thank you for stepping up.

Jun 16, 2024 11:00 AM
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

Thanks, Paula, for sharing some of your personal story.

I was lucky to have a very supportive father and I think about him every day even though he passed away in 1965.

Jun 16, 2024 11:46 AM
Dr. Paula McDonald
Beam & Branch Realty - Granbury, TX
Granbury, TX 936-203-0279

Awe, thank you, Roy Kelley! What a huge blessing he gave you even after all of these years.

Jun 16, 2024 12:36 PM
John Pusa
Glendale, CA

Hello Dr. Paula McDonald good to know you were blessed with great father figures. Happy Father's Day to all Fathers everywhere.

Jun 16, 2024 04:32 PM
George Souto
George Souto NMLS #65149 - Middletown, CT
Your Connecticut Mortgage Expert

Dr. Paula McDonald your husband is a special man, and I know you made this a special day for him.

Jun 16, 2024 05:11 PM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Retired Home Stager/Redesign

Hi Paula- what a beautiful post!!!  My father passed away many years ago but I was also lucky to have father figures in my life even when he was still with us. I often think that coaches are father figures to many of our youth. As they say...l it takes a village!. 

Jun 16, 2024 06:26 PM
Brian England
Ambrose Realty Management LLC - Gilbert, AZ
MBA, GRI, REALTOR® Real Estate in East Valley AZ

You make a great point, nobody is fatherless when they have God in their life!

Jun 17, 2024 05:54 AM
Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist
KD Realty - 408.972.1822 - San Jose, CA
Probate Real Estate Services

 

A wonderful message Dr. Paula McDonald - there are too many without earthy fathers, including the earthy fathers that are present in a home yet absent and void of being a father due to addictions, including just being a narcissist. 

Thankfully, we all have our Heavenly Father 

Jun 17, 2024 11:29 AM
Myrl Jeffcoat
Sacramento, CA
Greater Sacramento Realtor - Retired

Those are wonderful thoughts about those who are fathers, other than genetically, Paula.  I had my biological father while growing up, but I had a couple uncles who were priceless to me.

Jun 17, 2024 04:42 PM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Retired Home Stager/Redesign

Jun 22, 2024 06:49 PM
Michael J. Perry
Fathom Realty - Lancaster, PA
Lancaster, PA Relo Specialist

I was a child of Divorce. My family started to fall apart when I was 6-7 years old and I was  an only Child . My life was greatly changed and I only saw my father a couple of days per month . It took me to almost 16 to come out of the hurt , anger and anxieties.

But at age 22 my Heavenly Father came after me and Changed my life forever  !

Jun 23, 2024 05:55 AM
Wayne Martin
Wayne M Martin - Oswego, IL
Real Estate Broker - Retired

Good morning Paula. My dad passed in 1970 and his memories still provide insight for me to this day. Enjoy your day.

Jun 23, 2024 08:18 AM
Nick Vandekar, 610-203-4543
Realty ONE Group Advocates 484-237-2055 - Downingtown, PA
Selling the Main Line & Chester County

What a beautiful post, my father died when I was a young father to my first born, I often used to think what would Dad do. I know when I was home I always went in to each son and stroked their heads even if they were asleep letting them know I was there. I was also never afraid to tell them I love them, even today as grown men and I hope they pass that on to their kids.

Jun 24, 2024 01:11 PM
Jan Green - Scottsdale, AZ
Value Added Service, 602-620-2699 - Scottsdale, AZ
HomeSmart Elite Group, REALTOR®, EcoBroker, GREEN

I was able to read your post thanks to Kathy's weekly list of great blogs!  This is such a thoughtful post that others in similar situations can relate.   I'm so glad I read this because my situation is similar and very complicated.  So father's day is a mixed bag of feelings over not seeing one dad, being adopted by another who left after 10 years and not returning for another 14, then meeting my real father who I didn't remember.   They tried their best.    They have both been gone since 1988 and 1993 and I think of them every now and then with fondness.  The benefit to me is I am VERY self-reliant and can manage just about antyhing, even simple repairs.  Not a bad trait for a realtor!

Jun 24, 2024 03:14 PM