CAAAI sends wonderful greetings to the men and fathers who diligently keep up the good work and maintain their commitment to the pledge we have undertaken to uphold Mr. Robert Pinkerton’s dream. To honor each one of you, this Special Father’s Day message is dedicated to you.
HAPPY FATHER’s DAY!
As we celebrate Father’s Day, June 19, this is a good time to refresh our intellect with the poem “Mother to Son” by Langston Hughes. The research and historical context purport that the poem was published at a time and had relevance to the civil rights era that included the struggles blacks faced in the racial divide in this country. Even though historical events still present themselves, the poem still depicts life’s challenges that mothers, and all parents face today to survive. That conversation is so relevant and continues as mothers are still speaking to sons who are now grown up and are fathers of their children.
To the men and fathers, we say the most important act that you as a dad can do for your children is to be a good father and show love to the mother of your children. The love you show translates in the lives of your children and help to keep your family together. Being a good father doesn’t mean you will not make mistakes. Let your children see you are vulnerable and are able to say, “I’m sorry.” Allow your relationship with your children to offer them the confidence to come to you in times of difficulties and ask for help. In addition, make time for family dinner, fun and sport so the children see you and learn how to fix and build things. Being a good father is doing things that others don’t see or fully understand, like making time to meditate or pray, things that draw you closer to God. No one is perfect, and God loves us despite our flaws. It’s the relationship we have with Him that offers the grace to fulfill our needs. Your relationship with the heavenly Father will provide the guidance for your children to know Him also and have a relationship with Him. Appropriate quotes from Mother Theresa of Calcutta remind us all that:
"The family that prays together, stays together, and if they stay together, they will love one another as God has loved each one of them. And works of love are always works of peace."
"It is easy to love the people far away. It is not always easy to love those close to us. Bring love into your home, for this is where our love for each other must start."
As we move forward, may each of us continue to reach out a hand to help each other and may the CAAAI community continue to be blessed.
Dr. Myrtle Adams Smartt,
CAAAI Advisory Board Member
