in defense of dads

[NomineDetracto]

i've read more than a few posts here about how dads can be ass holes and stuff and it makes me sad, but it also makes me realize how fortunate i am.

i'm not making this to belittle or detract from the real pain people's fathers inflict on them, i'm just making it because it's good to be grateful.

my dad is awesome.
we didn't get along for a while, but we've mended our relationship in the past 4-5 years and now we're good. when i came out to him he just kind of shrugged and said he still loved me. he doesn't fully understand and still thinks that being gay is a choice i've made, but he loves and supports me. he's opening up to my partner and is nice to him when we visit.

i guess i just kind of take it for granted what a great man/dad he is.

 

[Sunshine]

I'm glad you have a good relationship with him. It's something I never had and never will, it makes me envious.

Lucky bitch! lol

 

[G-Lexington]

My father is Roman Catholic.
He grew up on rural Wisconsin, third of nine kids.

I don't think I could've gotten a better dad.

He has always encouraged me to find my own way, to be who I wanted to be. This was painful and difficult at first, as it meant blundering ahead in the dark and bumping into things. But he was always there for me. When I told him, after four years of college, that I wanted to take a job at $600 a month in small-town New Mexico, he said "You need to do what you need to do" and gave me his blessing. When I struggled to make ends meet down there, he sent money. (I saved up and paid him back, because he didn't raise no mooch. ) When I told him I was gay, he took a day to come to grips with it, then let me know that it didn't matter to him as long as I was happy. When I introduced him to Pubert, he kept an open mind, found that they shared a passion for cooking, and now they're really close.

Thanks, dad.

Lex

 

[RationalLunacy]

My dad gave me my sarcastic sense of humor, to which I am forever grateful.

 

[willsboy84]

naive though it may be, i'd like to think the majority of us do have normal or atleast decent family relationships. hope i didn't give the impression that i was raggin on parents in general in the other "dads" thread.

 

[star-warrior]

My dad was an alcoholic, but of a best mate kind. Everyone was his best mate when he was drunk. He was genuinely a nice guy sober as well.

 

[darcey]

My dad was a very decent man, & always made each of us (my siblings & myself) aware that he loved us. He's gone now, but I have positive (& some very funny) memories. I wish more dads could be the same.

 

[Huskerboy]

I have a great relationship with my father, but it wasn't always like that. He was gone a lot while I was growing up, and was always very controlling. It wasn't until after high school until things began to change

After I graduated from college, we became closer than ever before. He and Mom have helped me out countless times - financially and with their advice and support. When I came out to my family, they had a difficult time at first, but when Dad took me aside and said (and I'll never forget this), "Even though we don't understand this, you're our son. We'll always love you and support you, and we respect your desire to keep us in your life..." (there's more, but I won't go into that now... ) Even though he's still my dad, we've formed somewhat of a friendship, and talk at least once a day, just to keep in touch and see what's going on.

I know I'm fortunate to have a father (family) who has always been there for me. They're also supportive of my partner and call him their "other son" which always warms my heart. I love my family, and wish that everyone were as fortunate as I am.

 

[hermanding]

i do envy that. i see fathers here being very warm to their small boys and dong things with them. it was n ever my experiencia never
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