One thing’s for sure: Life can be challenging at times.
I often reflect on the days when I was a young dad, navigating the heartbreak of a failed relationship while working an entry-level job that barely paid the bills.
Emotionally drained and financially stretched, it felt like the odds were stacked against me.
But even in those hard times, I made one decision that changed everything: I never let the struggle steal the joy of being a dad.
Young children don’t understand money. They don’t care about paychecks or prestige. What they value most—what they remember—is your time.
They don’t need every toy in the store. What they need is you.
- Time spent playing in the park.
- Digging a hole together at the beach.
- Telling bedtime stories with silly voices.
Those simple moments hold more value than anything money could ever buy. In that sense, despite our struggles, we were rich.
Her little face smiling up at me was all the wealth I needed. It reminded me every day that the fight to rebuild my life was worth it.
I call that chapter of my life “picking up the pieces.”
Because that’s what life often asks of us. Things fall apart. People leave. Plans collapse.
But we’re faced with a choice:
Sit in the rubble…or get up and gather what’s left.
My daughter was my reason to stand up. To try again. To keep pushing forward.
Because with her in my life, failure was never an option.
I share this not for sympathy, but in solidarity. I know there’s another parent out there walking a similar road—overwhelmed, exhausted, unsure of how to move forward.
If that’s you, hear me when I say:
Keep going.
Even if you can’t give them everything—give them you.
Because your presence, your time, your love…
That’s what shapes their world.
Ronaldo Gilley 