For those of you who know my husband, Brian, you know what a calm, deeply loving presence he has. Being with him is like being alongside a calm, steady stream – you feel alive, connected, and able to touch the silence within you.

This Father’s Day, I wanted to write a poem that captures how he is here for our kiddos. I wanted to share with the world that contrary to what our sitcoms, advertisements, and mainstream culture would have us believe – dads matter.

Many dads really aren’t stupid and lazy. They shouldn’t be the joke of the family. They are committed. They know how to care for their children – and not just as the babysitter. They know how to deeply love and nourish their families. They know how to cook and change diapers. They know how to be gentle and kind. They know how to be here for their dear ones.

And soooooo many of the dads I know would LOVE to be regarded for who they are and the gifts they offer. Not laughed at, controlled, nagged, or disregarded. They want us to know that in their silence, they love deeply.

Brian, this is the gift you give to our daughter. (And soon I’ll have a post about how Brian is here for our son.)

And to all dads: Happy Father’s Day.

May you be regarded for the gift you are to your dear ones.

Daughter, I am Here for You
By Lisa A. McCrohan

I am here for you.
I am here for you in these early years of ballet steps and magical fairies.
I am here for you as you practice your abc’s and long to be a big girl.
I am here for you as we go on nature walks
and you ask me questions about the universe
that make me pause
and bow to the stars
and to God.

I am here for you in these early years
of scary nights and midnight wakings,
stubbed toes and stomach bugs.
I am here for you when you throw a fit and need to let it out.
I am here for you when you get frustrated
and want to do it yourself.

Present. Alongside you.
I am here for you.

And I know that me being here now –

with how I look at you when you talk;
how I pause what I am doing when you want
to show me the latest bug you caught or
how proud you are that you’ve written your name;
how I smile at you and hold you;
how I can just be silently with you
as you let your imagination run wild –

just might make it possible for you to know
when you are teenager that I am here for you!

I’ll be here for you on your wedding day,
when it’s just me and you
right before we walk down the aisle,
and we look at each other
saying very little, knowing life is just about to change.
Even though it’s great and good and right, it’s still change.
And you’ll see in my eyes the same look you saw
when you were four and you stubbed your toe
or couldn’t climb up the tree as high you wanted to go;
when you walked into school for the first time and
looked back at me for reassurance.
It’ll be in my eyes,
the gentle way I squeeze your hand,
how my arms wrap around you:
“I’ll still be here for you.”

And when I am long gone, yes, I will still be here for you.
You’ll find me in the way you look at your dear ones with regard.
You’ll find me in the pause between getting into your car
and looking up at the stars.
You’ll find me on nature walks, the need for silence and to pray.
You’ll find me in the gentle way you talk to yourself
and regard your beauty and strength.
You’ll find me in your patience as your child throws a fit,
the way you pause what you are doing to give your attention,
your silent, warm embrace that tells your child, “I am here for you.”
You’ll find me in the deep knowing within you that you have to follow
to love this world.

And you’ll know
that I am still
here for you.

Lisa A. McCrohan

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Friends, this week before Father’s Day, offer dad one of the greatest gifts: your regard. Communicate to him that DADS MATTER.