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EXTRAORDINARY DADS
DAD STORIES
I'm inspired by the faithfulness of Frank and Donna's story. Thirty-two years of letter writing. Of memories. An enduring connection. "I write your letter", Frank once said, “as a matter of priority.”
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But it's clear Donna was a "matter of priority' long before the letters started. Her relationship with Frank was built, one memory at a time, growing up in Vermont. Her book is filled with those memories and what it was like to be with her dad, a good and decent man, no doubt the one she deserved.
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I wonder.... what do think it meant for Donna's life to have had a dad like Frank?
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Frank is not alone. There are many stories about great dads out there that represent what The Every Sunday Project is about. To read about some, click "Continue Reading".
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THE POWER OF MASCULINITY
I once asked Donna to tell me about her dad. Because her book is filled with stories of adventures she went on with him—climbing peaks in Vermont, backpacking trips, hiking trips, and more, I expected her to tell me about that. But she didn’t. Not exactly.
Instead, she talked about who Frank was as a man and the gifts he gave her. She talked about how he lived his life. She said he was a great man who infused her with confidence. He was a leader that inspired people, she said, a “master of empowering us and our choices.” She talked about how Frank was kind, devoted, and faithful. He was a powerful man and great athlete who lived a humble life.
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Frank didn't just give Donna his time and attention; he gave her who he was - a good man.
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WHAT MAKES A GOOD MAN?
Tom Matlack created a movement called the Good Man Project in 2009. He said, “My personal definition of being a good man means trying to make more good decisions on a daily basis than bad. It means showing up for my wife and kids even when it’s not easy. It means trying to help someone else out of generosity rather than greed. It means telling the deepest truth I am capable of. And it means forgiving myself when I fail. Because I still fail. If I make more good decisions than bad on any given day, that is a victory. And I sleep well.”
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My dad was a good man, the kind Tom was talking about. A good creator. He went to every band performance I ever had. He told the truth. He never quit on his family. I stand on his shoulders. Thanks dad.
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