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It’s OK to Admit Your Dad Isn’t a Superhero
And I know what you’re thinking…
So many of our fathers, stepfathers, “surrogate” fathers, grandfathers, uncles, brothers, and cousins do extraordinary shit daily. They’ve beaten, defied, and transcended the odds. It’s honorable, amazing, and definitely makes what their accomplishments superhero-ish; however, tacking that label on them only adds to the pressure already embedded in their psyche.
When I think of superheroes, I don’t rely on fantasies. I’m reminded of the show The Boys and what a superhero status truly means. A superhero stamp massages the ego and creates a false sense of “untouchable,” but the truth is our fathers are human and do very human shit.
They did the best they could with what they knew…
These words from my therapist echo in my ear every so often. I had to stop doing my dad of the few, the proud a disservice. I romanticized him as if he were impervious or infallible to human fuck up and that’s the most unrealistic lie my inner child could keep alive because — all humans fuck up.
We’re not removed from that.
I felt for Molly when she found out her dad cheated on her mom and while the details of my parents’ divorce are no longer a concern of mine, feeling the only life you’ve ever known…
