From all of us at Be Like Brit, Happy Father's Day! 

Father's Day in America can mean so many things to so many people, so I thought I would share my thoughts with you on this Sunday. I was blessed with a Father who was from the Greatest Generation, fought in WWII as a teenager and spent 8 years in the military, serving in all 4 branches, it’s a long story. His name was Bernie and I was blessed to call him Dad. He taught me many things, a work ethic was first and foremost, to be loyal to your family and friends and to take pride in yourself and everything you did. Most importantly he taught me to respect women, with 6 older sisters and an older brother I got that message loud and clear! Fathers are supposed to be the first man that their daughters fall in love with, to help set their moral compass and to teach them to love unconditionally. With Brit that was easy, with 33 daughters in Haiti, I have my work cut out for me! Both my sons, Bernie and Richie (named after their Grandfathers) never met my father and only Bernie got to roll around on the floor with Cherylann’s dad for a couple of years. Both were great men and would have loved these two young men today, as much as I do. My sons are hardworking, honest, loyal, friendly, loving and faithful, but most people forget that they lost their sister at 14 and 17 years old, twice in 48 hours, how much can their souls bear? My sons flew up to South Carolina from Florida this weekend to spend with their Dad, a Dad that they must share with 33 other brothers and 33 sisters and have done so with grace and dignity. How blessed am I?

This past Christmas I got to spend at Brit’s Home with both my sons for the first time in 8 years. It was a special moment in time for all of us. Holidays are very hard for anyone who has lost a love a one, especially a child or brother or sister. There is an empty chair at the table to constantly remind you that she/he is not with us anymore. This is not a Faith issue, we have plenty of that, this is a Shattered Heart issue that millions of people must learn to live with or should I say without? I choose to dwell on the positive, rather than the negative, I choose to be a Dad that leads by example and show my children that you can make something good out of something so horrific, they will need to know that they can do it too, life is that way. That is one of many gifts that a father gives his children, along with a place to call home that is safe and full of love. At Brit’s Home that is what we are trying to do, to love our children for who they are, not who we want them to be. As parents reading this, you know how hard that can be, but we all will persevere to help our children be the best that they can be, with Faith, Hope and Love!!!

On this Father’s Day I want to wish you Love, Health and Happiness. It means so much to all of us at Be Like Brit for your Love and Support. I have made a recent video of “Brit’s House of Love” where all our Britsionary’s will be staying in 2019, view the video here. If you would like to be a part of our journey, there are many ways to help, take a trip to Brit’s Home, Sponsor a Child, join us in a 5k walk on September 8th at Elm Park or dance the night away at our Fall Gala on November 3rd at Mechanics Hall.  

Keeping the Faith in Haiti and the USA!!!

Papi Len