Forest Benedict, LMFT

The F-word was Father’s Day. For much of my life, it meant grief, trauma, and loss. But over time—and through deep healing, fatherhood, and self-love—I reclaimed it. This poem is a tribute to that journey.

The F-Word Was Father’s Day: A Poem of Reclamation

The F-word, my friend, is not what you fear.
It’s not said in anger or sharp to the ear.
No, this F-word is softer, though once laced with pain—
It’s Father’s Day, stirring old memories again.

For years it would hit like a slap in the chest,
A haunting holiday, not one of the best.
See, one of my deepest and darkest of scars
Was chained to this day and it lived there in bars.

My dad had his demons, addiction, and fight,
And Father’s Day never landed quite right.
While others gave cards, I carried a weight,
Of grief and betrayal, of sorrow and hate.

But healing, dear reader, it finally came—
When I dove in deep, bringing love to my pain.
And something began—a powerful shift,
A reweaving of threads, a soul-given gift.

Then becoming a Daddy, everything changed.
And making new memories, deeply re-framed.
Now Father’s Day shines in a radiant hue—
Not because it forgot, but because my heart grew.

I hold my kids close, I laugh and I play,
I kiss them goodnight at the end of the day.
But more than that, in a way that feels true,
I father myself—and that’s something new.

I listen inside, bringing comfort and choice.
I speak to my wounds with a soft, steady voice,
I celebrate me—all the work that I’ve done,
The way I show up, the battles I’ve won.

I take time to play, to dream, rest, and dance,
To savor this life, to give joy a chance.
I father the boy in me, once scared and alone,
And build him a world that feels safe to call home.

So the F-word, sweet soul, no longer cuts deep.
It inspires, it warms, and it sings me to sleep.
It reminds me of growth, of love that can stay—
Of how far I’ve come on each Father’s Day.

And though I still carry some ache from the past,
The pain has been softened; it no longer lasts.
Self-love is my savior and peace has its place,
And now I rejoice on this once-ruined day.

So if the F-word for you still feels raw and tight,
Know healing is real, and your path can grow light.
Father’s Day’s meaning is not set in stone—
You can reclaim it with love and make it your own.

So come now, dear one, if your soul still feels torn—
You’re worthy of love from the moment you’re born.
Be the father you needed, both gentle and strong—
Giving your inner children a place to belong.

If this touched something inside you, feel free to share it or reach out. You’re not alone on this journey.

In compassionate support,
Forest Benedict, LMFT

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Created in collaboration with AI