It Takes a Village

Have you seen the commercial where an African American man is seen doing an enthusiastic cheer routine on the sidewalk in front of his urban apartment with his sixth grade daughter, dressed in her cheer uniform? It’s a beautiful piece that fatherhood.gov put together a few years ago, in time for Father’s Day. Not only to honor fathers but to encourage and inspire their responsibilities. I never had the coordination or frame to be a cheerleader, ballerina, tap dancer or anything in between. Had the video been of my father and me, it would have taken place on the pitcher’s mound at the softball field, in front of the goal at the soccer field or by the cup on the putting green. The first dozen times I saw the commercial my eyes filled with tears. The tears came from various emotions. Those of sadness for children that don’t have the scripted relationship portrayed in the commercial, happiness for the relationship I look forward to seeing my husband and daughter form, and hope for the opportunity to facilitate future bonds between participants of The First Tee and our adults mentors. The saying that it ‘takes a village to raise a child’ is truer than true. Though I grew up in a home with loving, caring and supportive parents and grandparents, the need for additional support didn’t end there. My parents looked to and entrusted my growth and development in the hands of numerous male mentors. From our youth pastor at First Baptist Church, to the softball pitching coach that would meet me on Saturday mornings for extra practice, or the golf course owner who took me under his wing, encouraged and helped me with my game, as if I was his own. Not only did my parents trust these individuals with their daughter’s time but they knew that these mentors would hold me equally accountable for my actions; right or wrong. Today, I am able to enjoy the commercial of the father and daughter practicing their cheer routine with a smile and giggles. Not because I am raw with emotions from watching, but because I can reflect on similar bonds I see developing weekly at The First Tee of the Sandhills. Positive male figures spending 75 – 90 minutes with children young and old from the community they live in. Shining a positive light on the participant’s emotions of the day and encouraging them to keep their chin up, follow the rules and keep after it. What’s even more special to see is the reaction on a participant’s face when a volunteer they haven’t seen in a few weeks is helping at programming. Now, that’s a special image you want to bottle up and take with you. Danny Thomas, Founder of St. Jude, paints a perfect image when he said, “No man stands so tall as when he stoops to help a child.” This Father’s Day, I encourage you to look through your personal calendar and consider penciling in a few hours every few weeks to join us at The First Tee of the Sandhills and become part of the ‘village’ of individuals it takes to raise a child. A special Happy Father’s Day to my father, father in law, and husband. Thank you for the men you are in my life and our children’s.