FATHERHOOD

Javier Mendoza with his dad, Richard Mendoza, and brother, James Doughty.

Each June people celebrate Father's Day. Some will take this month to honor and admire their dad as it has been tradition for many, many years both in the United States and around the world.

My dad was my best friend. He was strong, wise, funny, caring, full of integrity, hardworking, and would literally give you the shirt off his back if he found out you needed it. He set the bar high for me as a father, a husband, and a friend.

I try to live as close to the example my father set as possible but even at my best I feel like I have so much to learn and so much ground to cover in order to measure up.

My dad was the greatest example of hope, restoration, and a life lived with faith. He instilled in me a profound trust in God. He gave me the greatest example of how to love, give, and serve others.

He inspired me to do all of the things I have committed to do through my work here at Connect Global.

I realize that as I reflect on the great father I had and the amazing feelings I have towards him that many this June will not share the fondness towards fathers or fatherhood that I do.

My father passed away on November 18th, 2020 after a weeks long battle with covid and pneumonia. He is deeply missed.

While this Father's Day may be sad for many because of the death of their father, I also recognize that many have always felt a deep longing and sense of loss for a father who was never there.

Javier Mendoza with his father, Richard Mendoza

Others still, had a person who was supposed to fill this role but instead inflicted suffering, abuse, and in some cases left a bitterness toward this annual celebration.

I want you to know that if you are someone who can not muster up good feelings around this month because of a father that either wasn't there or due to someone who wasn't a good father while they were 'there', I care deeply for you and want you to know that I am thinking about you this month.

“The power of a dad in a child’s life is unmatched.”

— J u s t i n R i c k l e f s

Javier and Danielle Mendoza with their daughter Saige.

There are many examples of fathers I can point to that give me hope for you.

I have known many people who have taken up the mantle of fatherhood in the lives of those in need. Over, and over, living as examples of love, compassion, deep care, and always pointing others towards growing a hope of their own.

I love seeing these fathers do the job that was intended for someone else as if it were their own. Stepping in and showing up.

Javier and Saige Mendoza with their father and grandfather, Richard Mendoza

They give me hope because I know how important fatherhood is and I know what a hole it can leave in our lives when it is missing.

I want to applaud these father figures who have filled these positions with pride and taken up the responsibility of nurturing and growing up the next generations.

This Father's Day I hope you have someone you can point to that has walked alongside you, guided you,and helped to form you and give youa great start.

Javier and Saige Mendoza in New York 2021

If you don't I want you to know there are amazing fathers and father-figures who are here for you and are praying for you, by name, to feel the deep sense of belonging that you deserve.

I hope this month can be the start of something beautiful. A movement of fathers towards their children and towards those without fathers who are waiting for the chance to feel the love, care, and kindness that should be the true definition of Fatherhood.

Let it start with us!