Image Gallery June 2008
s
e v e n t h s o n. o r g
"FATHERS"
June 2008
(Please click on Images to see a larger view).
June 15th is Fathers' Day.
The past few years I've wanted to write about Fathers on that one day that is set aside to focus on those fathers that are there for their children, whether they live in the house with their kids or they have visitation rights. Circumstances sometimes prevents some of us Fathers from being in the home with our children, but that does not diminish our love for our children.
This year I photographed friends and neighbors, then I called other Fathers I know to get their input, insight and thoughts on Fatherhood and what it means to them. From this information; I've compiled the the text written below.
My next door neighbor, ( Image #1) Mitch could not be more proud of his two children Bree and Milo. Bree just graduated from high school this past Thursday where she was Valedictorian. Because of her diligence in her studies she was fortunate to be able to choose her college of choice. Bree has held a 4.0 GPA throughout her school years. Among the colleges she was accepted to she has chosen to attend Berkeley in Northern California.
Milo is the trumpeter, he's come a long way since the beginning notes we heard through our open window as we sat at our dinner table and listened as he practiced his scales. Our windows and doors are usually open so we are able to hear each note as if it's being played in the house with us. Since those beginning notes Milo has traveled to Brazil where he and his fellow musicians played with accomplished musicians there. He and his school band will open the Hollywood jazz festival this month. He has one more year of school before he graduates high school and goes on to college also.
I wrote that to show a small slice of their lives. Both Bree and Milo's' activities are reported to me by Mitch as a friend, neighbor and Father occasionally as we sometimes talk while he waters his grass.
Mitch beams with pride as he speaks of his children. Needless to say he's a very proud parent; a parent that relishes in the fact that being there as a father and parent providing guidance along with parental knowledge as his children grow into adults is a part of the process of being fully involved in their lives.
Al Johnson; also a neighbor (Image #2) with his sons Bobby Reed and Darryl Johnson is the most mature Father in the group. Both his sons are grown. They both have gone through college and are now working in their chosen fields within the computer industry.
I asked Mr. Johnson what his secret was for raising his two sons as they followed their particular paths of accomplishment without straying. He said, "My Father instilled a lot of values in me, along with his guidance, and because I had the training I was able to pass that on to them".
As a result of the values and guidance Mr. Johnson imparted during his sons' growth and development he was able to watch them develop from children into respectful adults that are making a positive impact on our society. Both Bobby and Darryl are married. Bobby has been married 11 years and has two children. Mr. Johnson is now able to observe Bobby raise his children in the same manner as they were raised by him.
The remaining Fathers Francisco Alvarez, (Image #3) Garth Jarrett, (Image #4) Chris Wilson, (Image #5) Damon Yancey, (Image #6) and Maceo Rogers (Image #7) all have younger children with the oldest being Chris Wilson's' son Nathan. All these Fathers are watching their children develop as they help to build a solid foundation so that their children will be nurtured, guided, and protected on their way to adulthood.
In speaking with these Fathers on their thoughts about Fatherhood they all have in common a burning desire to be there for their children, in helping to provide a quality life of growth, development, maturity and success.
As stated by Garth Jarrett, when asked, "What gives you the most satisfaction in relation to being a Father?" "Seeing the smile on my kids faces when I come home from work or when they're playing and happy, lets me know that I'm doing a good job." Garth said, " I want my kids to understand how important it is to dream." He also says ,"I don't want them to ever give up on their dreams!"
Chris Wilson said, "Being a Dad means Teaching my boys how to be men, Christians, and teaching them to respect people. "I get nothing but compliments on my children." "It makes me proud!" "I get joy from spending time with my kids, I don't know what that phrase (Quality Time) means, I just want to be with my kids."
The common thread that we all share is the fact that we are proud to be Fathers' and we love our children. As Fathers we love the fact the we are our kids heroes. The admiration our kids have for us shows in their eyes. In their eyes we know everything, we know more than any other Father in the whole world.
This admiration is the fuel that drives us to provide a solid foundation with us (the parents, Mother and Father) as role models for our children to emulate. It's inspiration for us to be the best we can be which helps us to provide for them, teach, guide, provide a spiritual foundation, support, nurture and protect them along their journey into adulthood.
I'd like to express my thanks for all of the fathers and their children who allowed me to photograph and interview them for the "Image Gallery" and also those fathers I spoke with by telephone.
Thanks for visiting,
please come again.
Otis G. (The
Curator)
