Name:  Leon Robinson 

Age: 44

Occupation:  Artist 
 
How many children do you have?

Five or more

How old were you when you first became a father? 

27

How would you rank your relationship with your father?

4 out of 5

Briefly describe the relationship with your father.

Distant he wasn't really in my life on a consistent basis but would pass through in my younger years maybe yearly but with no schedule. I can remember making up lies about him being this rich businessman who had a house in Toronto I would visit like I adopted Ricky Stratton's life, in the TV show Silver Spoons. When my Father did come pick me up we would take the bus from Hamilton to Toronto we would go to his house where my Granny and him stayed he would give me about $50 for the weekend for video games at the corner store across the street and I would mainly be with my Granny until he brought me back home on Sunday. Every once in a while he would come and take me to the CNE. Later in life once I opened my own retail clothing business he would visit a little more frequently, maybe every 5 months or so, and I got to learn a little more about his upbringing and vices as a man, mainly gambling.

When he was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer I was with him every step of the way and brought him to every treatment session, appointment and closed his eyes when he eventually passed of the disease.

How has this shaped the relationship with your children?

After being the product of a Single Mom with a Father that very rarely came to see me it made me understand the pain, trauma, and baggage that children can carry through life when the connection isn't fostered so I vowed to be present in my children's lives to the fullest possibility. I am married to my Wife for 18 years all 5 of my children are with my Wife, and I have no children outside of my family. I attend student-teacher interviews, sporting events, performances and every special event my children are involved in. I am with them daily, I chose to quit a dream job designing clothes in Detroit, because I was away from my family 3 days out of the week and when my young son told me it doesn't feel like home when I'm not there, that same day I gave my notice to leave, finished out my few weeks and then was home full time again. I have 4 sons and a daughter, so to be able to support and guide them, which experiences I have been through and the wisdom I have gained has been a continual blessing.

What do you enjoy the most about being a dad?

I love watching my children grow into their unique selves. Both my Queen and I are artists and the creativity and expression of Self is rooted in our Family, so seeing our children choose their way and find the things in life that enable them to express their passion is incredible to witness. My mother has always told me upon waking and going to bed I Love you and it is something I have incorporated into my Family as well so throughout the day I have numerous people telling me how Loved I am and I get to let them know not only through the words but through being actively involved in their lives daily just how much I Love them all as well.