Ryder’s 18th birthday should have been a memorable day, but his father’s absence left him feeling disappointed. Instead of celebrating with his son, his father chose to go on a fishing trip with friends, leaving Ryder devastated and questioning their relationship.
Growing up, Ryder’s life was normal until his parents started arguing when he was seven. By eight, his father was no longer living at home. Ryder vividly remembers his mother explaining the divorce, reassuring him that it wasn’t his fault. After the split, his mom worked hard as an elementary school teacher to provide for him, while his dad became more of a distant figure, often preoccupied with hobbies and weekends spent fishing.
As Ryder approached his 18th birthday, he hoped his father would finally prioritize him. He planned a small party with his mom and friends and even sent a message to his dad. When his father responded with: “I’ll try to be there”, Ryder felt a flicker of hope. However, on the big day, despite all the decorations and a cake baked by his mom, his father didn’t show up.
After waiting hours without any contact from his dad, Ryder called him, only to learn that he was still on the lake, seemingly indifferent to his son’s special day. Ryder felt crushed and hid in his room until his mom found him. He struggled to mask his disappointment, feeling invisible and unimportant.
A week later, his father called, offering to give Ryder a gift. Despite his anger, Ryder agreed to visit. When he arrived, his dad handed him a shiny fishing rod, a gift that felt more like a reminder of his absence than a thoughtful present. Ryder felt betrayed, realizing that his father would never truly prioritize him. When his dad invited him to join a fishing trip with friends, Ryder politely declined, knowing deep down that their relationship would never change.
As he left, holding the fishing rod, Ryder felt a shift within himself. He recognized he didn’t need to chase after someone who didn’t want to be there for him. In the months that followed, he focused on the people who truly cared—his mom and friends. He threw himself into music, practicing the guitar and helping his mom around the house to show his appreciation.
One evening, while washing dishes, his mom asked if he had heard from his father. Ryder shook his head, feeling at peace with his decision to stop waiting. His mom expressed sadness about their relationship, but Ryder reassured her that having her support was more than enough.
Over time, Ryder learned that his self-worth wasn’t dependent on his father’s attention. His experiences taught him an important lesson: sometimes, people won’t fulfill your expectations, and that’s okay. The fishing rod remains in his closet as a reminder not of what he lost, but of what he gained: self-respect, resilience, and the ability to move on from what he couldn’t change.
Mia Robertson is visibly emotional, unable to contain her tears. “We will all miss him so much…” Dive into the comments for more insights.
Mia Robertson, the youngest child of Duck Dynasty members Jake and Missy Robertson, was born with cleft lip and palate, a birth defect characterized by an opening in the top lip that may also affect the gums.
Approximately one in every 1,600 newborns born in the United States has a cleft lip and cleft palate, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Sweet Mia, now eighteen, has had to endure 13 operations due to her ailment; the fourteenth one was just completed a short while ago. The family sincerely hopes that this will be Mia’s final procedure before her issue is resolved.
The young child stays upbeat through each surgery. Above all, she aspires to be an encouragement to other young children who share her condition at birth. Mia started the Mia Moo Fund on her own initiative and with the support of her family to help ensure that every child has a smile on their face.
Missy Robertson told Christian Post, “One of the Mia Moo Fund’s functions is to spread awareness of the cleft lip and palate journey.””The other one is to assist in providing medical funds for the families and parents who are currently residing in America.”
Jase Robertson provided an update on Mia’s status and mentioned that his daughter is healing nicely on his podcast, Unashamed.
“She’s doing fantastic. He declared, “She’s turned a corner,” and went on, “Everything seems great, seems to be fine.”
The devoted father informed his listeners on his podcast, “Surgery went a little longer than expected, but she is home and recovering.” “We appreciate your prayers for her and our family. She truly is a champion!
Prior to the procedure, Missy discussed her daughter’s health and mentioned that she had been questioned frequently about how many procedures Mia will require going forward. “We simply don’t know is the only response that is ever given,” Missy stated. She continued by saying that they look to God for support. “Since turning eighteen, she has assumed the initiative in all conversations and medical paperwork. It’s been a bit peculiar,” Missy penned. However, it serves as yet another reminder to rely on the Lord and recognize that I am not in charge.
In addition, Mia wishes to be at “the finish line.”
“Hopefully this will be the last time I see my physicians like this! We’ve come to the end of the journey, brave Mia remarked.
As they welcome a child whose mother is unfit to care for them into their hearts and home, the Robertson family has also been getting ready for a new member.
We hope Mia heals quickly.
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