Overview
Excerpts from This I Believe: On Fatherhood
"As much as I resisted it, in a way, I became him. People compare me to my father. I'm proud of that. I just had to do some living to see it."—Lawrence Newton, Washington, DC
"I'm not 'watching the kids' in my wife's absence, and I am not the stand-in parental unit. Being my boys' father entitles me to all of the benefits and responsibilities of the job, all of the time."—Jeff Sloan, Colorado
"I sat there in the dark, surrounded by the soothing sounds and smells of my baby's room, and I thought of how Dad must have felt when I was born. I knew at that moment that he never intended to hurt me. I realized that he loved me just as I loved my son."—Bryan McGuire, Illinois
"Pride in achievement. Joy in effort. Work as play. My father never attended college, but he knew these truths. He learned them on the basketball court, and he taught them to me."—Nick Capo, Illinois
"No one fills the shoes of a father. But the footprint that the man who fathered them left behind does not have to stay empty."—Michele Weldon, Illinois
". . . when I see all three of my kids laughing, when I think about how much less my life would have been if I'd settled for what I thought I'd wanted, I realize I don't much care about the sensible things I once did."—Claude Knobler, California
"We sat in silence for the nearly twenty-hour drive. He didn't say much, but he didn't have to. Without a speech, my father lived the lesson he was trying to teach me for so long. He really didn't ever give up—even on me."—M. C. Hackett, Ohio
Synopsis
Compelling stories of fatherhood from the popular NPR radio showFrom the popular radio series This I Believe comes this touching and thought-provoking compilation of original essays on one of the most fundamental of human relationships-fatherhood. It is a relationship filled with joy and heartbreak, love and anger, lessons learned, and opportunities missed.
The stories in this collection are engaging and meaningful. Some are reverential and loving; some are sad and clouded by yearning, loss, and regret: You'll read reflections from expectant and new dads, full of optimism, as well as from longtime parents who, through the distance of time, are able to reflect on their successes and failures as fathers.
We also hear from children (some young and some well into adulthood) writing about their fathers. They honestly and openly introduce us to the men who shaped them, sometimes in surprising ways. They talk about the fathers they want to emulate, the mistakes they hope to avoid repeating, and the wisdom they realized they've gained.
This I Believe: On Fatherhood offers a compelling portrait of the diverse range of experiences and beliefs related to the father-child relationship. With personal insights and inspiration, this collection makes a wonderful gift for long-time fathers, new fathers, and fathers-to-be.