As a parent I’m faced daily with the sickening realization that my kids are growing up. It’s an odd job, being a parent. There is great conflict between my ears over just what it is I’m supposed to be doing. Do you hold them close? How close? Let them go? How far? In the end one thing is certain: my job is to make sure that they do not need me any more. I’m working toward my own obsolescence and anything less is failure. It’s a strange combination of feelings; I am alternately proud of my kids for their growing independence and heartbroken over their dwindling need for Daddy.
This picture evokes strong emotions in me. The family was out for a walk; my son and I were sticking together while the girls walked on ahead. I was snapping pictures of various things in one of our local harbors. I looked toward my son and he’d gotten ahead of me. My thought was to take a picture of him walking away from me and across the bridge he was on when he suddenly looked back. I snapped this picture of him instead. I’m not sure I can explain why but it immediately filled me with melancholy. My kids are growing more independent every day. They’re walking away and I can only hope they’ll look back to check on me every now and again.
6 Comments
Great pic! It evokes a dream
Thanks Daniel!
Your thoughts on this photo really bring another dimension to it – a depth that enriches…the grainy quality also works nicely with emotion. Lovely!
Thank you Mami! I really appreciate that.
I have this feeling too and it’s comforting to read it put to words so well. If we do our jobs as fathers properly, our kids will grow to the point where they want, but don’t need us in their lives. It’s so bittersweet.
Thanks Mike! Fatherhood is so bittersweet isn’t it? I find myself eternally conflicted.