Real fathers aren't impersonators

By Karen Farris, Op-ed contributor Sunday, June 21, 2020

He never impersonated being a father. He was a true father from the beginning.

Karen Farris and her family in 1998 at Seattle Mariners Stadium. | Courtesy of Karen Farris

My husband, Tom, attended the first ever Mariner Fantasy camp — a week-long immersion into the life of a pro baseball player. It came complete with official uniforms, jacket, and name-emblazoned embroidered jerseys. He got to be coached by some stellar former professional players.

The following summer, the Fantasy team was invited to attend an official Mariner game —in uniform. Before the real game started they had their own game on the field, one final fantasy hurrah.

Afterwards, we took our seats in the stands. That’s when it started. First one kid, then another, and another asked Tom for his autograph. Soon he was signing baseballs, programs, shirts, and hats. He tried explaining he wasn’t a “real” Mariner....but he did look pretty authentic. We laughingly accused him of impersonating a player.

But one thing Tom never impersonated, was being a real father. When he was young, he may have fantasized about being a famous ball player, but he left fantasies behind when he became a dad. He didn’t want to be a player — who never grew up, he wanted to be a real father. He was faithful to the Lord, honorable, loyal, dependable, and the one who could always stay up late to talk.

Whatever time it cost, whatever the sacrifices, or challenges that might come, he wanted to be a great dad. And he was. And is. I salute him and all the dads who work incredibly hard, remain faithful, and sometimes set aside their own dreams and fantasies to help their kids discover their own.

The righteous who walks in his integrity — blessed are his children after him! Proverbs 20:7

Karen Farris saw the need to help underserved kids while serving in a youth ministry that gave her the opportunity to visit rural schools on the Olympic Peninsula. She now volunteers her time grant writing to bring resources to kids in need. She also shares stories of faith in action for those needing a dose of hope on her weekly blog, Friday Tidings.www.fridaytidings.com