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Worldly Dad
Pablo Elizaga, New York, USA
www.daddysphere.com
From DADLY Dads: Parent of the 21st Century Copyright © 2018 Motivational Press. Reprinted with permission. By Hogan Hilling and Austin Dowd.
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I am a dad of a fifteen-year-old daughter, Maria Paz, and a teacher at a New York East Harlem school where I teach Spanish. I enjoy working out at the gym and traveling around the world with my daughter.
I have a unique long-distance father-child relationship. After I announced to my wife that I was gay, she returned to our home country, Argentina, with our daughter. I decided to stay in New York because it provides me with the opportunity to make a better living so that I can financially support my daughter with the quality of life she deserves. I miss daily life with Maria, but I visit her as often as I can in Argentina.
Quote.
Peace is found in Yes! – Anthony de Mello
Due to my long-distance relationship, I committed time to be Maria’s tour guide and arranged to block out time to travel with her around the world. Maria and I have visited 30 countries and places like London, the Great Wall in China, Uffizi Gallery in Florence, Giza pyramids in El Cairo, Blue Lagoon in Reykjavik and Taj Mahal in India.
What I learned from another dad.
To openly embrace and be proud of my gay dad lifestyle and honest with my daughter about my homosexuality.
Lesson learned from my child.
Loyalty and Laughter. Devotion towards other people and bringing joy and happiness into their lives are a constant presence in Maria’s life. She has taught me how to embrace these characteristics and also share it with other people.
Successful fatherhood moment.
The day I broke the news to my daughter that I was gay. She fully embraced, accepted and understood the lifestyle I chose to lead.
Dad I admire.
My father, Rodolfo Miguel. He was a patient man who enjoyed life and endured difficult struggles. I admired his perseverance.
He lost almost everything due to a financial crisis in our country, but he was not detoured by it. He knew how to enjoy fishing with friends and playing football. During his battle with cancer, he showed more perseverance and did his best to enjoy life to its fullest.
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Originally published in DADLY Dads: Parent of the 21st Century Copyright © 2018 Motivational Press. Reprinted with permission.
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Photos courtesy of the author.
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