I hear people all the time saying, “my real dad.” What exactly is a real dad? Is he the man who helped physically create you? Hell no. A real dad is NOT a sperm donor. A real dad is the man who stepped in and stepped up, when the so called real dad stepped down & out. Sure things happen. Relationships end, marriages fail. But what about the kids? Are the real dads there to calm their fears and dry their tears? It’s highly unlikely. That’s left to the mom to clear up and comfort. Let’s get back to this real dad. The real dad. He’s the guy who enters the relationship knowing how emotionally fragile the children are. He’s the man who introduces himself and speaks to the children as though he has always known them. He’s the man who included the children on dates with the mom. The man who would rather take the children to a movie, swimming, fishing, hiking, camping and on adventures with the mom, rather than being selfish and wanting her all to himself. He’s the man who takes the time to listen to the children. He learns their likes, dislikes, fears, hopes & dreams. He’s the man who helps with the homework and orders pizza for guys nights. He’s the guy who helps teach the children right from wrong, who disciplines when needed. He’s the man who bandages scraped knees and kisses them goodnight. He’s the man who sits in hospital waiting rooms for hours on end because the child is congested, has an infection, or maybe has a fracture or broken bone. He’s the man who teaches them to swim and ride a bike. He’s the man who helps with homework and tries to instill the importance of education in their young minds. He’s the man who doesn’t get any sleep because they’ve had nightmares and just need comfort and maybe a snack, which he readily provides. He’s the man who watches them grow from children into teenagers. Who guides them through adolescence, always with an open ear and a shoulder to lean on when they have school or relationship troubles. He’s the man who argues with them constantly about morals, honor, integrity, responsibility. He’s the man who deserves the title REAL DAD. Does this man want anything in return? Nothing materialistic. This is the man who doesn’t need the public display of thanks. He humbly sits back and watches as the ‘real dad’ comes around once a year or every two years. He’s the man whose heart breaks when their child comes home and throws their arms around him, hugs him, and cries when they realize that the 'real dad’ is a temporary fixture. They realize he’s solid. He’s dependable. He’s the one who is always there for them through the the good, the bad and the ugly. He’s dad.
