Interview: Galen Gordon

Background

The most outgoing and down-to-earth person during my schoolboy years is about to bless you with deep and simple insight on manhood and raising girls.  Galen Gordon took the time to answer questions about how he seeks to challenge his daughters and create an impactful, positive and purpose-filled environment for them.  Galen has true words of wisdom you must read.  Thanks again for sharing Galen!

Interview

Define manhood.

To me manhood is the ability to stand strong in your convictions and the
willingness to sacrifice for the betterment of those you support.  Manhood is also the ability to show restraint over temptations.  A real man recognizes the importance of the decisions he makes.  But, also I believe manhood comes with humility and understanding that I don’t always have the answer and I can’t always solve each issue without help from a neighbor or loved one.  Sometimes, we think being a man is just being tough and being the ‘rock’.  There are moments and issues in our life when, as a man I must show the ability to say, ‘help me’.

How is manhood portrayed positively in your life?

In my life, manhood is portrayed by respecting my elders, even at my age.  Respecting women and not condoning violence toward them or others is another way manhood is portrayed.  Manhood is portrayed by consistently working to provide for myself and those I support, not depending on others to make my way for me.  I see too many men ‘hustling’ women and others instead of getting their ‘hustle’ on by working harder at their jobs.

How do you exemplify positive manhood to the next generation?

I continue to stay involved with youth activities and youth organizations.  I’ve always believed it was extremely important to share my knowledge and
experiences with the youth.  I think our kids need to see ‘average’ men and the reality of life for most of us.  They need to see the struggles and how we deal with them.  This is the type of life most of our youth will experience–not, flashy cars and houses on the hill.

Define fatherhood.

To me fatherhood is creating a truth for my children.  Expressing in word
and action that every decision we make has a consequence and every action
has a reaction.  Some choices we make will impact us for a lifetime.  I believe part of being a father is having the confidence to tell my children, “No”.  It seems too many of us are trying to be friends with our kids and make up for what our parents didn’t do for us.  I just don’t believe that is helpful in the long run.  It is my duty to protect my children, but not to shelter them.  As a father, I must prepare them for the realities of the world, but also expose them to their opportunities and help them make goals for their own life successes.

How many children do you have?

I have two daughters. KeMijah – 12 and Freedom – 7

What is your most memorable moment as a father?

I have several memorable moments, but one is probably the night KeMijah
(two at the time) was sick and I had given her medicine and a massage and she was throwing up and just laying on the bed, helpless.  She had never really been this (bad) sick with me before.  She just began talking so she couldn’t really explain too much to me.  I was trying to get her to sleep.  She looked up at me and said, “…Daddy, I need you!”.  Oh MY…I just laid down with her and held her tight.  We both fell right to sleep.  It really dawned on me how much I needed to step things up in her life and in general.

Any final words or comments?

I’m grateful to God for bringing me daughters.  Yes, I know the troublesome years are only beginning, but I don’t know if I would have been as active a father if KeMijah would have been a boy.  I don’t know.  I was only 20 at the time and just getting ready to do things 20 year olds do.  I hope I would have been the same or even better, but I honestly don’t know.  Before KeMijah, I always thought I wanted a boy so I could dress him like me and he would play football.  But, I don’t believe I would have the patience for
boys.  My kids do what I ask of them and I don’t have to chase them around or anything like I see many of my friends doing with their boys.  I don’t know, but, I do know I love my babygirls!

Tagged as: Fatherhood, Interview, manhood