Fullness of life: A new father’s story
Editor’s note: In honour of Father’s Day, Gary Crossan, a fitness trainer and four time National Marathon Champion from Donegal, shares with us how becoming a new father has changed his perspective and lent new meaning to his support of World Vision’s work.
Baby Dylan Patrick was born at 12.30 a.m. on May 21st. It was a life-changing moment— my own personal miracle. The 18 hour labour was one of the toughest things my wife and I have ever gone through. Tougher than any marathon. 
I don’t think anyone is prepared to be a parent. And without knowing much about parenthood at all, I started to think about how I could be the best Dad I could be.
Baby
I don’t know why but I began to think about World Vision’s mission statement: “life in all its fullness.”
What did it mean for the children they work with and what did it mean for my own son?
World Vision’s mission is for every child to grow up healthy and strong, to be cared for and protected, with opportunities to flourish. This is exactly what I want for baby Dylan.
Chance
I thought about how lucky Dylan is that while we’re by no means rich, we have enough to feed, clothe and educate him.
Dylan's not going to go hungry and therefore has a much better chance of staying healthy and reaching his potential than a baby in the developing world. Some people even have him down for the World Marathon Championship in 2040!
Fullness of life
As a family we sponsor a girl in Kenya and I’m glad that we, through World Vision, are trying to help her experience life in all its fullness as well.
It only seems fair when purely by accident of birth, one child will have so many more opportunities than another.
When I get home after a long day at work, I like to forget about the stress and pressure of the day. I focus on being with Dylan— sharing and enjoying time with him and showing him my love in all its fullness.
Happy Father’s day to all the dads around the world from World Vision Ireland!
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