Getting Real With Shadra Bruce
As a mom community, we often talk about everything from the point of view of moms, supporting moms, motherhood, and what it’s like to be a mom and a woman. We are fairly woman-centered in everything we do. Today I wanted to take a minute to talk about how important dads are.
While the roles of moms and dads continue to change and evolve, when I was growing up, my dad had the more traditional role of being the breadwinner. My mom stayed home with us and my dad worked hard to support our family. When I was very young, I remember my dad being gone most nights. He worked for a dairy (the same one he works for now) and at that time had a very physical job loading trucks, which typically happened at night. My dad didn’t complain about having to work hard; in fact, he took a lot of pride in his work. It wasn’t long before he was promoted, and he is now an executive in the company. His dedication to his job is only a small indication of the integrity he possesses.
My dad was my hero when I was growing up. He made our family safe. He made me feel safe. He loved our mom beyond measure – a love I don’t think I realized the depth of until she died. Dad was strong and sort of quietly in the background of keeping our family together.
Whenever the challenges in my life are scary, intimidating, or frightening to me, or whenever I am facing difficulty, I know I can count on my dad to be there.
Dads are important. I see all the time the devastation that occurs for the children whose dad is out of the picture, abusive, or doesn’t take his role seriously. I’m grateful to have had a dad I could – and can still – count on.
