June 14, 2007
Every Boy Needs a Joe
My friend and publisher Adam Bellow has this lovely essay at Canada's National Post. Go read it, and then you'll understand what I mean when I say that every boy needs a Joe, and that it's the Joes who are the real fathers of the world.
Addendum: Not long after posting, I came across this hilarious essay by a law professor and father about the inherent legal-mindedness of children. So here you go, no extra charge.
Posted by Woodlief on June 14, 2007 at 08:23 AM
Posted by: Debby at June 14, 2007 9:22 AM
When I first saw the mention of "Joe" I thought about a dog, since we have a dog named Joe. The first essay was a good Father's Day gift, especially for me as a foster/step (soon to be adoptive) dad of a 4 year old boy. One sentence from the essay stuck with me:
But if we really are the sum of our influences -- and that other thing inside us that reacts to and wrestles with those influences -- then I am not just my father's son, but also Joe's.
I liked the advice of retiring in 20 years at half-pay.
The other essay was good too. I would add the definition of "fair" is solely at the discretion of the child, for whatever would maximize his benefit. You will be held in contempt if you ever utter, "Well, life's not fair."
Posted by: Marc V at June 14, 2007 12:37 PM
Great essay. I've always thought that the stepfather has the toughest job on the planet:
All the disadvantages with none of the authority.
I have friends who are stepfathers and I don't envy them. The author is a very lucky man to have had a family life where the natural frictions did not poison his relationships with both of his fathers.
Posted by: Joe Martini at June 15, 2007 6:07 AM
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