#DadSlam
We laughed, we cried, we bonded at #dad2summit though #dadslam
Rumor had it that this was going to be a small gathering. This was obviously not the case. Dad after dad came in, put their names in a hat, and found a seat. Lively conversations took place while the stage was set, and the names started being drawn. With each name, there was a resounding sound of acknowledgement and a single person would stand. They would walk upfront and take their place, and begin.
We are all bloggers. We write, we podcast, we vlog, and we engage. This summit is a chance for us to all meet, gather, share ideas and support one another. There is something magical about being able to HEAR the writer read their own words, knowing that as they read they are being taken back to the moment. Everyone that I heard was amazing, I mean really amazing. The talent that was in this room was breathtaking.
This was the first year that #dadslam was held. No one was sure how many would show up, let alone want to share. Well, there were so many that it was decided that this is going to become a part of #dad2summit. We went until just past midnight, and barely scratched the surface. There were readings that were workshopped with us, works in progress looking for reactions and insight. There were readings that we out and out hilarious. The laughter HAD to echo throughout the entire hotel as it was deep, loud and genuine. If we were not wiping tears from our eyes due to laughing so hard, it was because of some that were on the other end of the emotional scale. There were some that were so deep, so open, so raw when it comes to some of the painful parts of being a dad that we were all in some state of crying. Think about that for a moment, think about what society WANTS dads to be like. Yet, there, in that room, into the long hours of the night, there we were opening our hearts, and wearing them on our sleeves like a badge of honor.
After each reading there was tons of support, not just for what the reader said, but how they said it… or that they said it at all. We eventually had to end, but long after we closed for the night, many carried on. The feeling of many who took part in #dadslam in any way was profound. The ripples of the reading persisted through the next day, were topics of discussion, have been posted in blogs, and may continue on for quite some time.
There was no singular theme, and that is a good thing. I am honored to have been part of the 1st Annual #dadslam, that I was able to sign the board, and even though I was not selected to read, I will be looking for just the right posts to take with me next year.It is hard to pick the ‘best’ part of #dad2summit, but #dadslam is at or very near the top of the long list.
I AM A CRANIO DAD, I am scared out of my mind and I cannot express the talent and voices that were represented that night as well as I wish.