Sunday, June 19, 2011

On Father's Day

To the man who:

  • wastes his days off on specialist appointments for the kids.  Because he knows I struggle to do it alone.
  • has finger-nose with Pudding (don't ask) and orca (likewise) with Cubby.  So that each kid has their own special daddy thing.
  • gives up nights out with friends and weekend sports for playgrounds and pools.  And never lets us know that he minds.
  • gets up in the night so that I can get some rest, even though he gets up at 5.30 for work.  Then brings me a cup of tea so that my day starts out well.
  • makes up new wrestling moves to give the kids the sensory input they need.  Then performs those moves on request, over and over, even at the end of a long day.
  • sees how special our kids are, and accepts them as they are.  But will do anything to help them overcome their challenges.
  • offers a cranky wife a supply of hugs, shoulder massages, and feet rubs.  And doesn't mind when they are demanded.
  • understands and indulges his kids' special interests.  Because he has them himself.
  • has seen every member of this family at their very worst.  And is still here, will always be here, even if he might have to live apart at some point.
  • gives us the world.  And helps us find our place in it.
  • admits that quoting movie and TV dialogue is a tad spectrummy.  But won't stop...and has me doing it now too.
  • looks good in blue.  And pink. 
  • acknowledges that ironing is man's work.  And makes sure Pudding and Cubby see him in action.
  • lets Pudding pick who puts her to bed, and accepts that it is never him.  But keeps asking until the day she changes her mind.
  • has become adept at finding hidden allergens in food.  And a whiz at making gluten-free, egg-free, and milk-free weekend breakfasts.
  • tells us he loves us every day.  And we never doubt it.

I couldn't imagine a better daddy for Pudding and Cubby.  Thank you for all that you do.

Thank you to all the fathers who are here for their children, no matter what. 

Thank you to those daddies who can't be with their kids today. 

Thank you to the daddies who have to be oceans apart, wishing they could be there for their children. 

Thank you to all the mamas who have to be both parents to their little ones. 

Thank you for doing it day in, day out.  You deserve so much more than just one day to be appreciated.

Happy Father's Day.

 

Spectrummy Mummy blogs daily about the adventures of Pudding and Cubby.  You can also find me on Facebook and Twitter.

6 comments:

  1. this is a beautiful tribute to your husband. The line that got me? "lets Pudding pick who puts her to bed, and accepts that it is never him. But keeps asking until the day she changes her mind." That's our house in a nutshell too. I'm sorry that I didn't get the chance to meet this amazing partner of yours.

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  2. What a beautiful post! You're a good team, that's obvious!!

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  3. This is wonderful. I love every sentence. Happy Father's Day!

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  4. Thanks all. Not long after I posted this, Pudding crawled up onto her Daddy and wished him an unprompted Happy Father's Day, and asked for a "big cuddle." It beats everything I wrote hands down. :)

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  5. This is beautiful, thank you for sharing

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