Fathers Day - 2023
“You will come of age with our young nation
We'll bleed and fight for you
We'll make it right for you
If we lay a strong enough foundation
We'll pass it on to you, we'll give the world to you
And you'll blow us all away
Someday, someday
Yeah, you'll blow us all away”
I did a lot of driving during Fathers' Day weekend so my family and I could hang out with my parents and in-laws.
The lyrics above are from the Broadway musical "Hamilton." Once Alexander Hamilton interacts with his newborn son, he begins to talk about how his current generation is laying the foundation for the next generation.
Before kids, I did not have much experience with children on a personal level. Of course, I have interacted with many kids in the past, but the connection was different with the younger me.
Seeing, listening, and feeling my two kids for the first time melted my heart. The dam of joy and happiness squashed all the worries in my head and burst my heart.
The current me is always thinking about how I can make it better for my children—teaching them how to be a positive contributors to society and understand right and wrong. What does the term "Humanity" means, and how do assist in helping the less fortunate.
As an active member of our society, has my actions helped influence change? Are my actions speaking louder than words? Am I setting the example of what I am preaching?
I did what I needed to do as an Active Duty dude to help defend our nation's interest, and thank goodness I'm still in one piece and alive. As the candle to my Navy career is nearing its end, I must learn to let go and give my attention and energy back to my family. My parents and in-laws are also my other top priorities, and I spend as much time with them and assist them during this phase of their lives because they are getting older.
My parents moved an entire family from the Philippines to the US and battled through the struggles to establish a new life away from their comfort in our native land. I can't thank them enough for what they did for my siblings and me.
As this Father's Day concludes, Im passing the baton to my children, and I hope that my sacrifices have helped make it right for them and that I have laid a strong foundation.
