Monday Morning Boost: Rise Up Dad, Rise Up and Stand Tall
Fatherhood is a remarkable journey filled with its share of challenges and triumphs. As we celebrate Father’s Day, I can’t help but reflect on my own path as a father and the lessons I’ve learned along the way. It is a journey that has often made me feel broken and defeated, but through the inspiration of my own father and the love of my beautiful family, I have discovered the strength to rise above my doubts and fears. Today, I stand tall, no longer defined by my mistakes, but rather by the love, perseverance, and gratitude that guide my every step.
THE LEGACY OF A BROKEN FATHER
Growing up, my father faced his own battles and carried the weight of his mistakes upon his shoulders. He was a man of few words, but his actions spoke volumes. Despite feeling distraught and hopeless at times, he taught me the value of hard work, perseverance, and unconditional love. I remember watching him navigate life’s challenges with unwavering determination. While he often allowed his brokenness to define him, he chose, over the years, to rise in hope and change his story. His gentle counsel to “Keep your chin up, son,” shared only when I was at my most desperate moments, has empowered me to stay strong even when the world seemed to be crumbling around me.
Dad’s example resonated deeply within me as I embarked on my own journey of fatherhood. I vowed then, and again today, to carry on his legacy of rising from the cycle of brokenness by keeping my promise to “Get back up, Every time, No matter what”.
THE JOURNEY BEGINS
When Elisa came into my life, everything changed. Her love and unwavering support gave me the courage to face my own fears and insecurities. Together, we created a haven of love for our children in the hope of shielding them from the darkness that had plagued my own childhood. It hasn’t always been easy, and my journey through life has too often been plagued with my own version of darkness. Through it all, I have been blessed to rise in confident greatness by drawing strength from those who love me the most.
CAMPING AT WILLOW FLAT: A METAPHOR FOR FATHERHOOD
Last week, Elisa and I embarked on our traditional Father’s Day camping trip, enjoying one of our favorite places at Willow Flat Campground up Cub River on the northern end of Cache Valley just across the Idaho border. Little did I know our journey would mirror the challenges and rewards of fatherhood. The rain-soaked trail and the flooded campsites were a testament to the obstacles we faced, yet we remained undeterred. Together, we embraced the unexpected, finding beauty in the chaos and joy in the journey.
As we trudged through muddy paths and witnessed the aftermath of the record-breaking snowpack, I couldn’t help but draw parallels to my own life. Just as the campground and campsites were flooded, my heart had once been flooded with self-doubt and despair. But like the resilient trees standing tall amidst the water, I found the strength to rise above my own fears and nurture the seed of love within me.
DISCOVERING THE LOVE WITHIN
Becoming a father has taught me the true meaning of love. It is a love that is patient, selfless, and unwavering. Through the sleepless nights and endless challenges of raising children, I have witnessed the profound beauty of these tiny lives I have been blessed to help raise. With each milestone reached, I felt a renewed sense of purpose and a deep connection to the legacy I wished to create.
In the midst of the chaos, I learned to find solace in the simplest moments — a shared laugh, a warm embrace, or the silliness of singing army songs at bedtime. Through it all, Elisa stood by my side, her love anchoring me during moments of doubt. Together, we have weathered storms and basked in the sunshine, always grateful for the love that surrounds us.
RISE UP DAD, RISE UP AND STAND TALL
As I celebrate this Father’s Day, my heart swells with gratitude for the love I have found and the family that calls me “Dad.” My own brokenness no longer defines me; instead, it serves as a reminder of the strength that lies within us all. I am continually humbled by the opportunity to help shape my children, to nurture their dreams, and to guide them on their own journey.
Today, I stand tall, knowing that my father’s words echo through my actions. “Keep your chin up, son.” These words, once spoken to me in times of darkness, now reverberate within my soul as a reminder to persevere, to love unconditionally, and to embrace the beauty that lies within each challenge.
Fatherhood is a transformative journey, one that tests our resilience and fuels our growth. It is a journey that we embark upon with uncertainty, but it is also a journey that gifts us with immeasurable love, joy, and purpose. As we celebrate this Father’s Day, let us remember the power of perseverance and the strength that can be found within even the most broken of hearts.
May we carry the legacy of our fathers with pride and honor, inspiring the next generation to keep their chins up, to rise above their doubts, and to embrace the beautiful chaos of fatherhood.
Happy Father’s Day to all the fathers out there… Rise Up, Rise Up and Stand Tall!
Thanks for letting me share.
Have a beautiful Monday! I love you, friends!
Les
p.s. Take 13 minutes today to honor your own journey from brokeness to greatness!
