Celebrate Fatherly Roles on Father’s Day, Emphasizing Legacy and Love

I love celebrating my father and the opportunity to celebrate the men who serve in fatherly roles irrespective of the legal and/or biological relationship. I am blessed to watch my son who takes such pride in caring for his daughters, even doing their hair. Father’s Day is pretty awesome when we stand back and pay attention to the amazing relationships that we have with men who are committed to doing their best to impart wisdom to the next generation.

As an estate planning attorney, I want to encourage those folks to take all of the legal action necessary to support those they love. We often have relationships that we could categorize as “it’s complicated.” Many times, the adage of “mother’s baby, father’s maybe” applies. However, when we know who our children are biologically or legally, we should take steps to document the relationship.

Sometimes that may mean adding the father’s name to the birth certificate. Unfortunately, we have had situations where the father’s name wasn’t added to the birth certificate and the child, after the father has passed away, must take extra steps to make plans for their dad, because the law does not just give permission to anyone who wants to serve.

Sometimes that may mean creating a Last Will & Testament or a Trust to identify what the relationships are in your life. The identification of the relationship or how you want someone to be treated in your life is monumental. There are children who are biologically established but are not the children who have stepped up to serve or minimally to show you honor and respect. With that clarity in relationships, we are able to establish peace and harmony. 

My perception of the father is based upon my experience with God as my Father creating a standard and my earthly father seeking to provide an example of love, strength, and peace. I truly believe that those fathers whether biological, legal or bonus, seek to leave their loved ones with an abundance of love, strength, and peace. This can be done by providing a legacy of clarity. This can be done by providing a legacy of purpose. This can be done by providing a legacy of forethought. 

We know that the confusion provides space for arguments and lawsuits. We know that the lack of purpose creates lack of direction. We know that with a lack of vision, our people perish.

When we know better, we can do better! I encourage the fathers to do and be mindful of that which is their greatest assignment. The assignment is to train up a child in the way that they should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it! Again, the proverb doesn’t just say your legal or biological child but “a child.” This instruction is an opportunity to impact the world. We impact so many and can be world changers by creating a legacy of love. 

Life & Legacy Counselors are committed to supporting the creation of legacy of love, strength, and peace. We celebrate with you the love that you are building and sharing.