The difference between being a father and a dad.

From left to right:  Nora, Josh, Daisy, Chanelle, Emma

I am proud of my son.  Without going into detail, he has made his way through his own share of trials to become the proud father he is today.  The road ahead itself won't be without its own share of struggles, but he has a good foundation upon which to build.  And he has a good moral center with lots of support upon which to draw courage and strength from.  

I read a quote somewhere that, paraphrased, said, "Any man can be a father, but not every man can be a dad."  The difference between the two being fathering a child versus raising one.  To father a child is to be half of the equation to create life from a single cell to a living, breathing being.  To be a dad to a child is to be physically, emotionally, and morally present as the young person grows up into adulthood, and even then, to be there as part of the family in some supportive capacity.

My own father had a difficult marriage with my mom, and yet he was determined to be the best dad he could be to us.  It wasn't easy for him.  I am sure that my own life would have been completely different had he chosen not to be there in one form or another.  I myself, struggling with a difficult childhood and learning issues, took a great deal of strength from how my dad behaved.  I had my own share of challenges, and yet it was my goal to raise my children in a supportive and loving environment.

I suppose each child grows up facing the difficulties that life tends to throw at them.  Each one of them has a father.  But not all of them have a dad.  The interesting thing here is that you don't have to be a father to be a dad.  Anyone who has been adopted knows this.  The dad is the person who is there for them throughout their development.  Being a dad is really about being the loving, caring person who is there to support the physical, emotional, and moral development of a child.

It's easy to be a father.  Being a dad, now that's a different story.

Thanks for reading.

Eric Svendsen     www.ericspix.com