Dear IF readers,
June, 2008 celebrates “Fathers, Grandfathers and Sons” here at International Family Magazine, www.internationalfamilymag.com. This special month of June highlights the stories of the multi-generational family. We have brought to these pages three generations of storytellers and their visions that intersect rather than stand apart. Fathers and sons with fathers and fathers of fathers – there is a common thread in all. June is also our World Tour stop in Latin America – the beauty, the colors, the music, the food, the people – Fantastico!
On September 25, 2002, my first son Jackson was born. But it was in that same room on that same day that I watched another birth with awe and reverence. I watched my husband’s birth into fatherhood. It was one of the most precious moments I will ever share with another human being in my life. John was transformed before my eyes. In one minute he went from someone’s son, to someone else’s father. And as Jackson looked into his Papa’s eyes, John began to speak with a softness I had never heard him utter before. John’s voice quieted into hushed reassurances, his big arm cradling Jax as it was only built for that alone, and he moved close and closer to smell and coo.
In June’s stories of “Fathers, Grandfathers and Sons” we have a new writer with us Bruce DeFrees, Jr. Welcome Bruce. Bruce’s story of his two walks with his Dad are so succinctly visual I feel as though the breezes lift my hair and I can smell the dust on the road. Kent Converse delights us with stories and pictures of Grandpa and his famous watermelons. Grandma Ellen gives us her lovely son, Marc. Craig Williams is our sequel piece to his wife Roz Williams feature story in May’s mother issue. And on and on with the treasures found in this issue.
I am struck by Roz and Craig William’s agreement in their two separate interviews that industry and family life are changing. They speak of the current U.S. economic model enabling both parents to work and to engage in the parenting opportunity. Roz and Craig also defend against the negativity given to the Mr. Moms of today. There is a growing trend in Dads being the stay-at-home parent as a flexible partner or full time. Brava, brava. On the other side of that same coin, Cheryl Paley, an adoptive mother to Zoe, finds her single parent status makes her less attractive to men. What is true is there are many more choices to what a family can look like now. What is also true is when there is change; there is resistance to change as well.
I like especially how Bruce ends his story. He reminds us all of the brevity of this most important relationship of father in our life and the lessons we have learned, good and bad. If our relationship with our fathers is but a brief glance, we must stop long enough to engage before it is gone and with it all the wisdom and reflection.
Good reading and Happy Father’s Day,
Cat Wayland
