Becoming dad for a second time, after a 12-year interval, has not been without its deeply satisfying rewards despite the setbacks we endured as a family when Asher arrived in August of 2022.
He turned our world upside-down when his future was placed into question the day he wasn’t supposed to arrive. He has had us in fits of giggles and smiling with pure joy every day since the most challenging few weeks of 2022.
On reflection, I have a deep gratification for the role I played as dad to 2 boys, husband, and laundry mule. I carried the family as Joelene was bound to the hospital bed, Asher was in neonatal intensive care unit, and maintained a sense of normal for our 12-year-old, Michael. I was able to be there for each of them as much as they needed me; and they needed me.
Not all families are as fortunate as mine though, which is the point I am getting to with this overshare of a very personal chapter of my life. Many families don’t have a support person when a baby arrives, and often it is in very similar situations we found ourselves in last year.
Mums find themselves trying to recover on their own, with a new baby and all the extra family demands. They don’t have that extra bit of much needed help, and can very easily lose hope, overlooking their own value. That’s not OK, so I found a way I can help through The Ivory Project.
The Ivory Project addresses this issue by, in their own words, "partnering with maternity hospitals to place value on disadvantaged new mums and bubs – through gift packs of clothes, hygiene products and nappies ... Due to growing need, we also partner with existing ‘at home’ programs for vulnerable new mums who are supported for the first 6 months of bub's life by a social worker/midwife within their own home. For these babies we provide larger-size clothing and nursery items. Occasionally we have been asked to supply prams and car seats as well."
So, I want to raise $1,000 to support The Ivory Project, and I am willing to do something in return.
My beard became the first way Asher identified me, and now he loves to pull on it: whether that’s when he’s fighting his sleep in my arms, or grabbing it to steady himself as he’s trying to stand. I figure he wants it gone, and you can help him!
If I hit my target of $1,000, I will shave the beard off, and go barefaced for 30 days. It’s a small gesture, and a small contribution to provide some support to those mums who do it alone in our community.
Thank you for your support.
More info: https://www.itsnotok.com/the-ivory-project
Your sons have bushy beards to look forward to. A great cause Gerard, well done