Father's Day Downunder

F

rom the time you took in your first breath, our world changed for the better. Eyes now clear of milky dew, I see myself in the reflection of your squinting gaze. Blindly holding onto my finger with your hand, my eyes begin to fill with your mother’s tears as you settle at the breast. You are the first of three and with time, you will all grow strong and make us proud. Robert, Stephen and Christopher will be your names.

A

ll three separated by time, will finally arrive at the place we call home. Never grand but always welcoming. Timid but wanting, our gifts from above settle into our care. Little sleep and long nights await us all but in the end, our three sons settle into the warmth of friend’s gifts. We dare not leave but we must. Looking back for the third time, we trust you will sleep well under the protection of the ones that hold you dear.

T

he morning light reveals you still in my arms. Reprimanded I hold you up as I take in the air. Time to hand you over to the one that brought you into this world, as I seek out sustenance for the long day ahead. Coming back I find you feeding, warm in your mothers arms. Days roll into months and finally our firstborn takes his first cautious steps. Two brothers not yet born will follow this same path.

H

ere we now stand much older, much wiser and a little poorer. But our three boys are now men, ready and able to make their own mark. As each one leaves, the home becomes quieter. Finally the day comes, when all three have departed. But walking into their rooms, I still feel their presence. Should we have stopped them from leaving? I look back to my time and realise it’s the best thing. Freedom is what we all seek.

E

arly days away from home bring new experiences, both good and bad. Thank heavens we’re only a phone call away. Helping out where we can, we finally see all three settled far from home. The youngest is making a living out in the west with a mate. The eldest two are sharing costs up north. The partner of one, head strong and pretty, is the girl we love to call our daughter. No doubt there will be more to come.

R

eminiscing, I hope the mistakes that I made as a father will be forgiven. I look forward to the day when you become fathers and watch your children grow as we have watched you grow. Knowing that you have become good men with great hearts is great comfort as we approach our twilight years. We have said it before and I’ll remind you again, we will always love you even after we have gone.

"Father's Day - Australia - 7 September"

To be continued...