For some men, their fathers were home physically but not emotionally. Some men grew up without hearing their fathers say “I love you.”
Some men never knew their fathers at all.
But all men at a recent forum understood the impact a father makes in the lives of his children and family.
On Nov. 16, Federal Way author Nandell Palmer and friends delivered a forum titled “Man up! Fathers who are not ashamed to say ‘I love you’ to their sons” at the Federal Way Regional Library.
The gathering focused on the triumphs of fatherhood as well as failures caused by fatherlessness. As to the latter, Sunday’s forum was intended “to bring awareness to this festering problem, which seems to cripple generation after generation,” Palmer wrote.
Palmer is founder of Write a Blessing Media and author of the recently released inspirational book “Blessings at Your Fingertips.”
A current of faith and family values coursed through the forum, which attracted about 60 people. Several men took the floor to share lessons learned from life without an involved father.
“All my father ever owed me was to bring me into this world,” said Roger Freeman, an attorney with two children. Freeman stopped focusing on the things his father didn’t do, he said, adding that the best example for his children is “to be there and love their mother.”
In an audience participation exercise, men were asked to write down three ways to positively impact someone’s life. West Seattle resident David Connelly had at least six, including showing more “compassion and dignity — those things are free.”
Contributing to the event’s inspiring message, Rev. Marvin Charles discussed his nonprofit organization D.A.D.S. (Divine Alternatives for Dads’ Services), which has helped hundreds of fathers in the area become better parents.
And in one of many pearls of wisdom, master of ceremonies and Christ the King church elder Michael Roberts said he had never seen his biological father, but learned to overcome the past and better himself.
“Those things take us sometimes to a place that’s dark,” he said. “Step over to where God’s light can shine on you.”
The event also featured Jason Earls’ act as a “clown” named Security; a pantomime tribute to fathers and sons by Jevoy Palmer, Aaron Earls and Edward Robertson; a message about scholarships and education by Meeker Middle School principal Kevin Ikeda; reading of “What a father’s love means to me” by Jevaughn Palmer; opening prayer by Larry Lane; and a saxophone solo by Michael Carter. Video clips of some of these contributors can be viewed online at www.fedwaymirror.com or www.youtube.com/federalwaymirror/.
More info
To learn more about Write A Blessing Media, e-mail Nandell Palmer at palmern777@aol.com or call (253) 529-1562. Also visit writeablessing.com.
To learn more about D.A.D.S. (Divine Alternatives for Dads’ Services), visit www.aboutdads.org.
