A dad's holiday wish

By Sean Cutshall

Forget a new pair of white and blue Nike AirMax, or the new, inexpensive touch screen tablets, the only thing this dad wants for Christmas is to see, touch and talk to my daughter.

Still in the midst of establishing a parenting plan, visits with my daughter do not come often. And I, regrettably have not made the most of the chances I have had to spend time with my daughter. My daughter lives four hours away, and as a dad, there is no excuse for my not seeing her more. It is not easy, nor is it something I can just jump in a car and do; but I must make this a bigger priority in the next couple months.

For all you dads who have the ability to touch and hold your child every day, never let a day go by where you don't make the most of that blessing. It's an opportunity, and gift, not every parent gets to experience.I am growing as a person,  dealing with this absence of child in my everyday life, but my growth as a parent can only go so far. I miss the everyday connection, and the monumental memories that can only be created by contact and face-to-face communication. A phone call means more than an updated between my daughter and me, it is a connection instrument that leaves me near tears every time.

I love my daughter, and I refuse to settle into this role of distant fatherhood. Those around me still say, "It is what it is." But I'm not OK with that, nor would it sit well with me if a year from now I'm still depending on Thomas Edison's invention to fuel my relationship with my daughter. She deserves more, and I deserve the gift of fathering her on more personal basis. 

While this Thanksgiving I will bow my head and thank my God for the beautiful gift of my daughter Keeley, and the gift of being a father to Tyler and Savannah, I will have only one real wish for Christmas. I want and hope for the best gift of all, to see, touch and hold my daughter. And, if I'm with my daughter while wearing my white and blue Nike AirMax, while playing on my new, inexpensive, touch-screen tablet, then even better.