Reflections on my first Father’s Day
I lost my father when I was just 10 years old.
Growing up in one of the most dangerous countries in the world, Papua New Guinea, forced me to mature faster than most children. My mom and I were each other’s rock, with the roles of both caretaker and dependent shifting between us.
When I lost her at 33, it felt like God had untethered me, pushing me onto my own path to guide myself, as I carry forward the values my parents left me with.
Now, at 44, I sit here writing this reflection only two weeks after welcoming my firstborn son into the world. As I think about how best to guide him, I am deeply aware of my own history with trauma, and how I’ve worked to move beyond the survival mind.
Through my work in mental health at Mind You, I’ve learned that social environments, both internal and external, play a critical role in shaping one’s approach to life. This is especially true with today’s generations redefining our understanding of well-being through new research into the decolonization of mental health and epigenetics, creating new pathways for healing, growth, and healthy relationship dynamics.
I’ve used these learnings to carve my fatherhood in creating safe guardrails for my son in the form of good values, being present as a father, and holding space for understanding, love, and compassion.
On my first Father’s Day, I say this to my son: “Shine bravely into the world. Don’t let anything stand in your way, not even me. Love always, all ways.–Dad”
Yuri Marshall is the CEO of Mind You.
