There are certain things in this life ...

Today, is one day before father's day in the US, and I decided to go for a stroll on the navy pier (since all my work is concluded here in Chicago)

One of the things that caught my eye was the huge number of single fathers. (not mothers) But Fathers. Being from the middle east, where we have no idea that there is a father's day on the 17th of June. And I went on by my merry way completely oblivious to what it represents.

Then I started seeing more and more single fathers with their kids, mostly in Military uniform. At a point, I found myself asking the cute lady sharing my table since it was over crowded. And I naively asked her, "What's going on with all the single fathers?" she replied, "It's father's day weekend", and followed up with "some of these fathers have not seen their kids in years"

What shocked and puzzled me at the same time is that most of these seemed to be nice people. Sure they're playing "Dad for the weekend" but they seemed to be caring and loving parents!

As for the kinds (who were literally showered with presents), their ages ranged from toddlers (maybe 3) all the way to young teens. (I wasn't really able to distinguish beyond that). That's when this idea struck me, along with some heavy showers that completely soaked me to the bones! I was like a wet chick!

Anyway, walking the mile long Navy pier to where I left my car (big mistake) I was watching and the idea kept crystallizing more and more in my mind. There are certain things in this life that should never be done alone. Having kids, and raising a family is one of them. It's true that the couple have the final say in their relationships. But the minute it involves a third innocent life, that's it. Their lives are no longer their own!

It was clear to me that the fathers struggled to deal with the kids. They didn't know the kind of ice cream their sons liked. They didn't know the type game they enjoyed. And they just plainly couldn't communicate right. The link has been severed!

On the flip side, I saw a bunch of parents with kids. even when the kids were nagging, crying, pooping, and doing every possible crazy and annoying thing you can image. Somehow the couple managed! While the single parents.... could only look and covet the things they couldn't pass on to the next generation. The bond....