The Tenderness of Fatherhood

Small Things Like These

Bill Furlong’s love for his daughters and memories of being cared for reveal how fatherhood can extend beyond biological certainty and protected family boundaries.

increasing

Bearing strength in each event

decreasing

A Father’s Private Joy A Father’s Private Joy from "Small Things Like These". A Father’s Private Joy Pride in small things Bill Furlong watches his daughters learn, help, and show consideration in everyday moments.

A Father’s Private Joy from "Small Things Like These". A Father’s Private Joy Pride in small things Bill Furlong watches his daughters learn, help, and show consideration in everyday moments.

A Father’s Private Joy Pride in small things Bill Furlong watches his daughters learn, help, and show consideration in everyday moments. He feels a private joy that they are his own. Gratitude made personal Having grown up with uncertain origins, he experiences family belonging as something precious. His care for his daughters becomes a central measure of his life.

A Child’s Fear A Child’s Fear from "Small Things Like These". A Child’s Fear Staying close At the Christmas lights, a daughter cries at the sight of Santa and holds Bill Furlong’s hand.

A Child’s Fear from "Small Things Like These". A Child’s Fear Staying close At the Christmas lights, a daughter cries at the sight of Santa and holds Bill Furlong’s hand.

A Child’s Fear Staying close At the Christmas lights, a daughter cries at the sight of Santa and holds Bill Furlong’s hand. He comforts her without forcing her to join the other children. Protection without coercion His response is gentle: she may stay beside him. The moment provides a small image of the patient care that vulnerable children need.

An Old Gift Remembered An Old Gift Remembered from "Small Things Like These". An Old Gift Remembered Care from Ned As Bill Furlong prepares hot-water bottles for his daughters, he recalls the one Ned gave him as a child.

An Old Gift Remembered from "Small Things Like These". An Old Gift Remembered Care from Ned As Bill Furlong prepares hot-water bottles for his daughters, he recalls the one Ned gave him as a child.

An Old Gift Remembered Care from Ned As Bill Furlong prepares hot-water bottles for his daughters, he recalls the one Ned gave him as a child. Its comfort lasted well beyond the disappointing Christmas morning. Affection across generations The memory joins practical care to the feeling of being remembered. It helps explain why Bill Furlong recognizes small acts as meaningful rather than trivial.

Another Mother’s Need Another Mother’s Need from "Small Things Like These". Another Mother’s Need Sarah and her infant Sarah Redmond tells Bill Furlong that her baby has been taken and may be hungry.

Another Mother’s Need from "Small Things Like These". Another Mother’s Need Sarah and her infant Sarah Redmond tells Bill Furlong that her baby has been taken and may be hungry.

Another Mother’s Need Sarah and her infant Sarah Redmond tells Bill Furlong that her baby has been taken and may be hungry. Her distress makes motherhood visible within the story’s wider institutional cruelty. A personal connection Bill Furlong has raised daughters and knows the vulnerability of children. His family life gives him a direct emotional route into Sarah’s plea, even though he initially fails to respond fully.

Care Beyond Kinship Care Beyond Kinship from "Small Things Like These". Care Beyond Kinship A stranger brought home Bill Furlong takes Sarah Redmond toward his home despite not being related to her.

Care Beyond Kinship from "Small Things Like These". Care Beyond Kinship A stranger brought home Bill Furlong takes Sarah Redmond toward his home despite not being related to her.

Care Beyond Kinship A stranger brought home Bill Furlong takes Sarah Redmond toward his home despite not being related to her. He acts on the principle that a person in danger deserves help. Fatherhood widened The rescue extends the protective feeling he has for his own daughters to someone whom society has abandoned. Family care becomes an ethical practice rather than a boundary.

early November 1985

the first Sunday of December

the Sunday before Christmas night

the Sunday before Christmas before dawn

Christmas Eve night