Dear Jessica Brennan,
In our house we call this Kelly Clarkson tune, “that bloody song“, as it regularly reduces us to tears.
Because, quite simply, when you have a kid you should stay.
You can leave the relationship you’re in with your partner and still stay in your kid’s life. But, having a child is a spiritual contract. It is no longer about you. You have to stay for your kids.
So many sadly don’t.
Women leave their kids just like men, but in smaller numbers statistically. In any case, Father’s Day is coming so today I’m talking to dads – to all the dads who stayed in their children’s lives.
To my Dad: When times were hard you stayed, and when there was lots of money you stayed and when there was no money you stayed. When your life could have been easier, you stayed and when leaving may have been simpler, you stayed. Sometimes Dads leave in their minds even though they technically stay. But you really stayed. All-in stayed. It’s true that you only did what you should have done, what many do, but of course, many don’t.
To Peter, Dear Jessica’s Dad: You showed up for us when we needed you, and when I was a pain you stayed. When Dear Jessica was a pain you stayed. Even when you were a pain you stayed. Through thick and very thin, you stayed. Your dad, the Great George Brennan, stayed.
So Jess, to my dad who stayed and dad’s dad who stayed. To your dad who stayed, and to all dads who stayed.
Happy Father’s Day
Love Mum
xo
