The Secret of Here
Warning: this email may cause tears
The New Fatherhood is an open and honest conversation about modern fatherhood, with a bunch of dads figuring it out as we go. Here's a bit more information if you're new here. You are one of the 9,564 dads (and curious non-dads) signed up. If you've been forwarded this by someone else, why not get your own?
🎉 Today marks the 100th weekly issue of The New Fatherhood, and I want to honour this milestone with something a little different. Last week I came across an illustrated story by Iain S. Thomas, I imagined reading it to my kids, and it had me crying in my local cafe. I contacted Iain, who kindly agreed to allow me to include it here for all of you.
I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
Say Hello
Told you. What did you think?
Loved | Great | OK | Meh | Bad
Thank you to Iain S. Thomas for letting me share this beautiful story in its entirety. You can follow Iain on Twitter and Instagram, or buy his books here (I went for Every Word You Cannot Say). Branding and illustration by Selman Design. Survey by Sprig.
Send me links, questions, or reply and tell me your favourite essay from the 99 that came before this one. Here’s to another hundred. See you on Friday.
This feels like a revisit-it-monthly read. It's been hard to not want to do this, that, and the other thing for myself lately - to have a little "me" time when I can fit it in. I've also been trying to remind myself that time with my new baby and young family is fleeting and all of this is so temporary. Thank you for the beautiful reminder from Iain! All of his books look like they're available at our local library, I might give a few a go.
Congrats on 100, it's fun following along!
I have a meeting in twenty minutes - maybe I should have read this when I had time for a proper cry!
Being in the present moment is something I'm really trying to work on lately. As parents we think we have to be always thinking ahead to the next task: what's for dinner? How long have they napped for? Have the kids eaten enough fruit today? Whatever it is. There's so much distracting us from the present moment.
I guess sometimes we have to be thinking of logistical stuff like that, but this is such a lush little reminder that just being in that present moment can be so fulfilling and joyful.
Thanks for posting this, it's made my day :)