Name: Noel Warner City: District Heights MD
What does being a father mean to you?
Never giving up
Never quitting
Never make excuses
Never complain
Never judge others
Never Hide
Never Run.
Describe your experience with your father growing up and how that impacted you today.
Very practical. On hands with things. Short with conversation but strict. I had chores and responsibilities. High expectations with limited resources and support. That impacted me greatly to the point I’m always serious and overthinking things.
What things/tools/gems did you take from your experience growing up into your Fatherhood journey today?
The way I handle all of my business and affairs. I’m a very productive and successful person. I have multiple ways of hustling to making money. I’m very independent and strong minded.
Have you had any obstacles on your fatherhood journey? If so, explain.
Trying to figure out things after my wife’s passing has been extremely difficult and hard raising six kids, all alone by myself with no help from either side of the family. Going to doctors appointments alone, going to school meetings alone going to after school events celebrating all of their birthdays. Even trying to figure out how to celebrate a birthday and death on the same day is hard. My wife passed at 6 months into birth with our 6th daughter whom I’m currently taking care of now.
What advice would you give other Fathers on their journey?
To never say Never. And to always have a plan and to figure things out with a partner. And talk about life insurance on both behalf.
If you could write a quick letter to your father, starting with “Dear Father,” what would you say?
Dear father, I want you to know that I think you did your best and I thank you for that. I just wish you would’ve been more upfront with what was happening with you and my Mother after she passed. I wish you would’ve spent more time talking to me calling me texting me show me how much you love me instead of making me feel like everything was my fault not showing me your vulnerable side. Never apologize to me never admitting that you were wrong when you were if you were, I was making me feel less than who I was never reassure me that I was somebody great and strong and in the end, I still love you and thank you.
