DrMaestro's Blog

I almost did not go. I had a very important meeting at 0830AM. It was either go or disappoint the children, yet again.

It was the Father’s Day event at my children’s school. I had missed every year for the last four or five years. Yes, I had been “too busy.” No excuses, just the raw, uncomfortable truth: I was not there. However, this year, something pushed me to show up. And it changed everything.

The highlight for me: “A Letter to My Dad” – a presentation made by the Year Seven students to their fathers. The children would bravely walk on stage and invite their fathers to sit on a chair at the center, and would read the letters to them.

It was pure magic. A touching display of love and gratitude. Words wrapped in pure love:

“Roses are red.
Violets are blue.
I’ve never seen a dad as good as you.”

And then…

A young boy walked on stage. He called for his father. The audience clapped, we all looked around, searching for the proud dad.

But no one stood up.

The boy waited. He looked at the single, empty chair in the middle of the vast stage. A spotlight on absence. He looked out at the silent crowd, then back at the chair. And with a courage that humbled every man in that room, he began to read his letter.

He read it to an empty chair.

He didn’t stumble. His voice didn’t break. He read every word with honor, to a father who wasn’t there to hear it.

I felt for him.

My first thought: What if this were my child and I was not there? I know my boys! That would have cut quite deep. They would tell this story for many years to come, and no excuse, no matter how good, could have made up for it.

I looked around and wondered what the other fathers like me were thinking. It was awkward, and even though he got a round of applause, every man who was clapping understood the moment, and felt it in their hearts.

Right there, I made a vow to never miss again, except it was totally beyond me. By God’s grace, there would not be an empty chair because of me.

To all the deserving fathers who ever get to read this, know this: you deserve to sit on that chair.

It is your privilege to sit on the greatest stage of the hearts of those who cherish you and be celebrated by them.

Show up! Be there! You need to be celebrated! Your value is worth much more than words can express! Be there to soak up the accolades! You deserve it.

You are their hero, their giant, their world. Your presence is the only present they will ever truly need.

Dance with my father again! Ah! That song! @Greenpathprepschool, you almost got me there. I had to really hold myself together tightly before the tears started flowing! Dad, this is for you! You were a really good father, and I miss you greatly. One day, I will surely have that dance again!

PS: This is a narration of actual events and not an AI-generated story. Thank you for reading. Please like, comment, and share with your networks