I had an interesting, albeit typical, situation the other day and I wonder if anyone has had similar experiences. I was having lunch with two business associates, one of them is expecting his first child in October and the other has decided not to have a family. The former, I’ll call him Bob, was very curious about life with kids and asked several questions about what to expect. I was really enjoying our conversation and the chance to share with Bob all the joys that he was in for.

Sadly, however, the other man, I’ll call him Tom, was completely intolerant and ignorant throughout the entire conversation. It was so pathetic to see a grown man so threatened by the idea of dedicating himself to a family and kids. He was full of meat-head comments that were meant to belittle our choices as fathers. I love being a dad! I love seeing my daughter’s face when I come into her room first thing in the morning. I love hearing her giggle when I tickle her or make faces. I love watching her learn new things and the excitement I share with her as she experiences the world. I feel so sorry for Tom and the fact that he will never have that joy, and worse, that he feels the need to undermine that joy in other men. I respect his decision not to have children and found myself oddly reassured of my decision to have a family. I made a commitment to become more than just a man but rather to be the most important person in my family’s lives and to be a dad.

Love to hear your thoughts.

b

Technorati Tags: ,,,