On Mother’s day, I wrote a post called Gifts of Beauty From My Mothers (as part of May’s series on beauty). Now it’s Father’s Day, and while I’m no longer writing about beauty, I am writing about parenting, so it seems fitting to showcase the special fathers in my life in a similar way. Instead of writing in relation to myself, though, I’m going to make wishes for Edwin. He has some amazing male role models to look up to.
From all of his father figures, here’s what I hope my son receives…
From his Papa (grandfather; my father) I hope Edwin inherits the ability to care for others. Papa is a caretaker with a capital “C”: when one of his family is in need, he is on hand to provide anything and everything, from ice cream to driving to doctor’s offices to cleaning bathrooms. He prioritizes family above all else, and goes above and beyond to show his love. Papa also cared for his students throughout his 35 years as a teacher; his support and encouragement helped many of them grow far beyond his classroom’s influence.
From his Dziadz (that’s Polish- it’s pronounced sort of like “Jadge”; my father-in-law), I hope Edwin inherits a well-directed work ethic. Dziadz always seems to be working hard, whether at his career as a school administrator, his weekend job at a shooting range, or making improvements on his house or ours. More importantly, Dziadz seems to love what he does, so that his hard work seems more like the building blocks of a full, satisfied life. He also knows when to stop working and make time for true relaxation.
From his Great-Grandpa (my grandpa Eddie, for whom Edwin was named) I hope Edwin inherits a sharp, inquisitive mind and love for learning. At 91, Great-Grandpa is still in school, so to speak- he frequently makes and attends presentations on politics, sociology, literature and music at his Hofstra-based retirement group. Great-Grandpa is, as he used to call me when I was a kid, “one smart cookie.”
(Sadly, none of Edwin’s other Great-Grandfathers are still alive, but I know that as Edwin grows, the two families will begin to see traits belonging to each of them.)
Lastly, and most difficult to choose, as I hope Edwin inherits many things from my husband…
From his Daddy, I hope Edwin inherits talent married with passion. Daddy dedicates his whole self to everything he does, whether he’s making sure his students get the best musical experience possible, showcasing his own musical talent with numerous performing groups, or fighting for his fellow teachers’ rights. He also shows passion for his personal and family life, peppering his time at home with laughter and fun, and partnering with Mommy to make the household run smoothly.
I also hope Edwin inherits a sense of humor from all four of these wonderful men: my father’s sarcasm, my father-in-law’s jokes, my grandfather’s puns, and my husband’s ability to find something funny about even the toughest situations.
What would you wish to inherit from your father figures? Or, if you have children, what do you wish for their inheritance?
This is the fifth post in June’s focus on parenting. Look back at previous posts from this series here, or click on the “Parenting” category on the sidebar for plenty more: