We spent a lovely father's day at 'La Granja' -- a little visiting farm where Isabel was able to feed carrots to all the animals. She is too cautious to actually feed them herself, but she found a little friend to whom she would pass the carrots and watch the cows, goats, llamas and even ducks devour them from her hand. There is a great play area with slides and teeter-totters where Isabel was able to run around. It was sweet to watch her run around freely... always eager to make friends. As soon as she sees another kid close to her in size she runs right up to them and starts to make conversation. In the picture above she was on the teeter-totter yelling Happy Father's Day to her papa!! The day started off with homemade banana muffins and a coffee that Isabel brought to papa in bed... though instead of 'father's day', she sang happy birthday to papa. I guess she couldn't quite get the concept yet... so many new celebrations she has been learning about this year. The girls made a beautiful photo album for their dad with foot and hand prints... Isabel helped Anaïs paint her toes yellow to make the imprint on the page.
For me, it was a really special time to reflect on how blessed we are to have such a wonderful family. As I look around I see so many dads that are not involved and missing out on some of the most spectacular years of their kids lives. Especially as we make our home away from Canada, the prevelance of absent fathers is so striking (in many cases the moms too, with most kids spending the majority of their time with nanny's and in daycares). It is definitely a choice that can be hard to make; and it is very personal. Yet, as I took a moment to honour the father of Isabel and Anaïs, I was truly overwhelmed at how much joy we get from being together. And more grateful than words could even begin to describe to have a partner who chooses to spend time with family - and engages in every activity without compromise. There are certainly moments where I think this is just how it should be... it is our normal. Yet, for so many people it is not the reality. Having a partner I can count on through each step of this parenting journey is a gift that I treasure. So for Father's Day, I am filled with gratitude and appreciation to all of the men who choose to put their families first. And I am so happy that my daughters dad is just this kind of man!! It truly never ceases to amaze me... no matter how tired or what else is going on... there is always a smile and a hug and energy enough to play and read one more story. It is a well-talked about issue that mother's work goes unrecognized; yet the work of dads, the ones who are truly engaged, is not even on the discussion list. So, to all you dad's who walk the talk and love being a papa... this is your day!!
This year, Father's Day falls on the same day as Summer Solstice... the longest day of the year. Though, living this close to the equator and at such a high altitude, the days seem to be exactly the same length with each rotation of the earth. But even still, there is a magic about this day. The energy of the sun seems stronger, even if the day does not feel longer. It is also a day where I feel an urge to honour nature in its power and its brilliance.
"To see the World in a grain of sand, and a heaven in a wildflower, hold Infinity in the palm of your hand, and eternity in an hour." ~ William Blake
We spent a lovely father's day at 'La Granja' -- a little visiting farm where Isabel was able to feed carrots to all the animals. She is too cautious to actually feed them herself, but she found a little friend to whom she would pass the carrots and watch the cows, goats, llamas and even ducks devour them from her hand. There is a great play area with slides and teeter-totters where Isabel was able to run around. It was sweet to watch her run around freely... always eager to make friends. As soon as she sees another kid close to her in size she runs right up to them and starts to make conversation. In the picture above she was on the teeter-totter yelling Happy Father's Day to her papa!! The day started off with homemade banana muffins and a coffee that Isabel brought to papa in bed... though instead of 'father's day', she sang happy birthday to papa. I guess she couldn't quite get the concept yet... so many new celebrations she has been learning about this year. The girls made a beautiful photo album for their dad with foot and hand prints... Isabel helped Anaïs paint her toes yellow to make the imprint on the page.
For me, it was a really special time to reflect on how blessed we are to have such a wonderful family. As I look around I see so many dads that are not involved and missing out on some of the most spectacular years of their kids lives. Especially as we make our home away from Canada, the prevelance of absent fathers is so striking (in many cases the moms too, with most kids spending the majority of their time with nanny's and in daycares). It is definitely a choice that can be hard to make; and it is very personal. Yet, as I took a moment to honour the father of Isabel and Anaïs, I was truly overwhelmed at how much joy we get from being together. And more grateful than words could even begin to describe to have a partner who chooses to spend time with family - and engages in every activity without compromise. There are certainly moments where I think this is just how it should be... it is our normal. Yet, for so many people it is not the reality. Having a partner I can count on through each step of this parenting journey is a gift that I treasure. So for Father's Day, I am filled with gratitude and appreciation to all of the men who choose to put their families first. And I am so happy that my daughters dad is just this kind of man!! It truly never ceases to amaze me... no matter how tired or what else is going on... there is always a smile and a hug and energy enough to play and read one more story. It is a well-talked about issue that mother's work goes unrecognized; yet the work of dads, the ones who are truly engaged, is not even on the discussion list. So, to all you dad's who walk the talk and love being a papa... this is your day!!
This year, Father's Day falls on the same day as Summer Solstice... the longest day of the year. Though, living this close to the equator and at such a high altitude, the days seem to be exactly the same length with each rotation of the earth. But even still, there is a magic about this day. The energy of the sun seems stronger, even if the day does not feel longer. It is also a day where I feel an urge to honour nature in its power and its brilliance.
"To see the World in a grain of sand, and a heaven in a wildflower, hold Infinity in the palm of your hand, and eternity in an hour." ~ William Blake
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