Father Figures: Men Standing in The Gap

With tomorrow being Father's Day I was inspired to write a poem for all the men out there who stand in the gap. There are so many men (stepfathers, uncle's, coaches and teachers) who provide support and consistency, and most importantly love, to a child whose own biological father, for whatever reason, is not playing an active role in their child's life.

When men choose to mentor to children who are not their own, they are making an investment in the future. It is proven that children who have the benefit of a positive male influence in their early childhood, or who have been parented by both a mother and a father, have a better chance for success.

In June of 2011 the Huffington Post reported that "Nearly One in Three American Children Live Without a Father". The article goes on to say that the number of children living apart from their father has doubled in the last 50 years, with 11% reported in 1960 and 27% in 2010.

In my lifetime I have encountered only a few of the type of men I choose to celebrate in the poem below. Although the words were written for a special man in my life, the poem is dedicated to men everywhere who know the importance of mentoring to a child, and who are strong enough and man enough to consistently be a positive influence in the life of a fatherless child.

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!

Sometimes a man stands in the gap,

And helps to raise a child that’s not his own.

Sometimes a man will help a woman,

When she’s raising a child alone.

Sometimes a man will lend a hand,

And nourishes a seed he did not plant.

Sometimes a man, has to raise his voice or hand,

To discipline an unruly child, in an instant.

There are so many men, who every now and then,

Decide to fulfill the role as father.

And it makes me so mad, to see the real dads,

Who hardly care, and don’t even bother.

So, this card is for you, the tried and true,

Who always help a child in need.

It takes a real man, who does what he can,

And that makes him a real Father indeed.
Copyright 2012 © Lady Lavender all rights reserved.