Today marks 31 years since my father passed away and although you would think that time heals all wounds and makes it easier to deal with, I think the opposite happens. As you get older, you experience more major life events and realize that this person who is gone has missed all of it. Year after year, I pause on this day to reflect on who I’ve become since my dad died and wonder if he’d be proud of the person I am. This episode might sound like a heck of a lot of me, but it’s meant to be a guide for you on how you should also take time to reflect on your accomplishments and the many characteristics and traits the define you.
It’s time for us to be more authentic and true to ourselves.
What we’re talking about
– Losing My Dad
– The Characteristics That Define Me
– Instilling Values and Traits To My Children
I Was 7 When My Dad Died
Being only 7 years old meant that I have memories of my dad but there’s a lot about him that I don’t know. It also means that I’ve lived 31 years of my life without him. He wasn’t there for my major life events and it all leaves me wondering whether or not he would be proud of who I am, what I’ve done and the type of person I am. Every year tends to be the same on this day…I cry, am held by my husband and then take some time to think about what I’ve done since he’s been gone.
Knowing Yourself And Embracing It
Over the years I’ve discovered my main characteristics and they include being independent, but since getting married to my partner and best friend, I’m now also dependent and that’s a good thing! Independence can be a blessing and a curse and I’m able to recognize them both. I’m resilient in all that is thrown my way and have faced crisis, let downs, and much more and have always come out a stronger person because of it. I’m fearless until you ask me to jump out of a plane and I’m genuinely authentic to the point that it might seem unbelievable to people.
Building Character and Strength In My Children
Even at the young age of 7, my father instilled values and character in me that I still have today and my hope is that I can pass some of this on to my children. My hope and prayer for my kids is that they are independent but know that finding your person that you can depend on is a good thing; to be exactly who they were meant to be no matter what anyone else thinks; to strive to do their best in everything; and to know that no matter what life throws at them, they will survive and come out stronger.
What characteristics and traits are you leaning into and reflecting on?
