It is Father’s Day today. So, today’s blog is dedicated to my husband and all the other fathers/father figures out there that love unconditionally and give daily. A special note to all the fathers and grandfathers that support a loved one that has fallen ill - physically or mentally. Your job is unfairly harder…requiring extra strength, patience and care…despite extra doses of exhaustion, worry and fear.

When living with a child braving a mental illness, my husband mentions wanting/needing to be the pillar that holds the family up and this desperate desire to want to “fix it”. A need that will never relent despite the recognition that he cannot “fix” a mental illness. He walks through the unique challenges of each day and a lack of dependability life used to have…never crumbling (despite the weight) determined to move forward and be a strong and reassuring figure for his children and wife struggling some days to simply be okay. He works hard to assure his other two children are not lost in the chaos of it all…always hoping they understand what often feels unfair, but sadly recognizing they do not. Someday he prays they understand and forgive recognizing the difficulty of the situation. And to his wife, I think he hopes she recognizes his unwavering love and daily efforts to be the stronghold he knows she needs (without complaint and a great deal of sacrifice) …despite that same stronghold may not always be there for him regardless of good intentions and best efforts.

To my husband and all the other fathers braving the same journey…despite the challenges, trust and believe that every day, in so many ways, you are the father/husband/role model your family needs. There is no one else who could do it better. And maybe…just maybe…a gentle reminder for the rest of us to be a better stronghold for you. One pillar does not hold the roof up.