For The Men in Our World!

I am continually amazed at the dynamics of family and more specifically the differences between mum and dad. One thing I’ve noticed, in our family, is that I am the more cautious one when it comes to stretching physical boundaries. For example, whilst living in Australia, our children were learning to surf. Having grown up in Saskatchewan and spent time at our picturesque lakes, the only waves I was really comfortable with, were those from the odd speedboat passing by the shore! Needless to say, this Prairie girl quickly discovered that the waves of the ocean differ greatly to our lakes.

Whilst my husband was in the water teaching my children the ways of the ocean, I was always close by. You could always find me on the shoreline yelling, “be careful, hold onto them, don’t go out so far, watch those rocks (in the far distance), etc., etc., etc.” My children laughed at my concern knowing that they were safe with dad. They jumped, dunked, spit and spurt their way through surfing (something I would have never attempted with them). Besides my obvious nervousness I should have never watched the movie Jaws…. need I say more! I must add that I do love a relaxing day by the ocean and I miss our lazy days at our favourite Sydney beach especially when it’s -30 ☺!

Another example of my husband stretching boundaries is with skiing. All of our children started skiing at the tender age of three. I love the way he encourages them and challenges them to push on. I too take part in this but my mother’s heart softens when they feel the cold or have a fall. Philip, on the other hand, explains to them that skiing is a winter sport and winter equals cold. He tells them that if they want to ski then complaining about the cold isn’t an option. He also helps them up from a fall, dusts them off and keeps them going. Through this tender instruction all three of our children can now ski and we enjoy great family holidays on the slopes.

There are of course countless other examples I could share that would give expression to the necessity of fathers. Sadly I believe we are living in a ‘fatherless’ generation. We see the likes of ‘The Wiggles’ and countless other male figures catapulted to star status simply because our children need and crave strong male role models in their lives. I love that my husband is teaching my son how to be a man, a husband a provider and a carer. Equally he is teaching my daughters how to be loved by a man through gentleness, kindness and so much more.

The other day our seven-year-old son had a mid-term spelling test. He had prepared well. However, as we left for school his father wished him good luck and said, “Go for it buddy, you can do it!” That afternoon I picked him and his sister up from school, we asked how his big test went and with a huge toothy grin he exclaimed, “I got 100%”. My eldest encouraged him, by telling him he did well because he was well prepared. To our surprise he disagreed and said, “I got 100% because my dad wished me good luck”! I smiled knowingly.

Upon arriving home, my son could hardly get his seatbelt off quick enough. He burst through the doors, ran through the house, found his dad and said, “Dad I got 100% in my spelling test today. I got it because you wished me good luck. Thanks dad. I love you”. I could see my husband’s heart expanding, once again realising how important his input into this little life is. It was a good day.

I share this today hoping that men will continue to influence and impact the young ones with confidence. Whether you are father, grandfather or friend; someone is looking to you. Understand who you are in these little lives and I always say, ‘TO THE WORLD YOU MAY ONLY BE SOMEONE BUT TO THE SOMEONE YOU MAY BE THE WORLD’!

Susan J Sohn