According to the United States Census, about 50 million children live with two parents, about 17 million live with only their mother, and 3 million live with only their father. Some of you reading this know that many years ago I went through a divorce. My youngest son was only 11 years of age when the process began and I wasn't able to be around for him, and my other children, as much as I would have liked during the teen years. He, and his siblings, resided with their mother and my time with all of them was lessened significantly. I wasn't able to be around my children as much as I was prior to 2011 and there were certainly days that I felt as though I wasn't much of a "Dad" in their lives. Now, 8 years later, my youngest son is a man who is paving his way in life. For him to write that I am his greatest role model and the best Dad that he could have asked for... well... it brings tears to my eyes.
As I ran all alone across states and countries pushing a bright yellow support stroller to promote youth health and fitness, there were several times that people told me I was a good role model. Those are nice words to hear, but somehow to hear from my son that I'm his greatest role model carries a significance that means far more to me than from those who simply watched me pound my body into the ground mile after mile. I wasn't able to be at all of my children's events from November 2011 to present. There are circumstances that come with the divorce process and the aftermath thereof, and there were certainly many times when I felt that my children didn't understand how much I wanted to be a Dad in their lives to the extent I was before -- but simply couldn't be. There were years of struggle, adjustment and changes. Now, eight years later, it means the world to me for my youngest child to convey to me... and to his peers via social media... that I am his greatest role model and that he feels he couldn't have asked for a better Dad. It's humbling. It's unexpected. It's what every father wishes to hear.
The magazine Psychology Today published a report that states sons model themselves after their fathers. They tend to act the same as their father -- even seeking approval from them growing up. Children with hands-on fathers are more likely to be emotionally secure, be confident to explore their surroundings, and have better social connections as they grow up. Without a father connection, children are more likely to drop out of school, have behavioral problems, and more likely to commit crimes.
From 2011 forward I wasn't able to be around for my children in an in-person everyday sense as those fathers who haven't gone through divorce. However, there hasn't been one day that has gone by that I haven't thought about all four of my children, missed them, and wished that our lives were closer. As adults, they now live in states apart from where I reside and our chances to see each other are quite infrequent. However, they are in my heart with each step I take in life and I pray that all four of them know how much I love them.
From Him, Through Him, For Him (Romans 11:36),
Paul J. Staso
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Visit my YouTube channel -- https://www.youtube.com/user/pacetrek
Click on any of the links below to see some of my adventure photos:
- United States in 2006 (3,260 miles solo in 108 days at age 41)
- Montana in 2008 (620 miles solo in 20 days at age 43)
- Alaska in 2009 (500 miles solo in 18 days at age 44)
- Germany in 2010 (500 miles solo in 21 days at age 45)
- The Mojave Desert in 2011 (506 miles solo in 17 days at age 46)
- Various Photos From Mileposts Gone By
- Students Worldwide Who Ran With Me Virtually
- Roadside Sights From My Running Adventures
- Some Cycling Moments From The Past
