With inflation at a 40-year high, the Federal Reserve raised its benchmark interest rate this week in an effort to—hey, come on, pay attention, this is really important! https://t.co/g88ia9TGZppic.twitter.com/fFWRezmQpJ
Have I been a good father to my children? I'd like to think so, but that's probably my ego talking more than an objective analysis.
I became a father when I was barely out of childhood myself (20). Still learning what it means to be a mature adult, what society expected of me and what I wanted to become. In many ways I was selfish in those early days, and probably not nearly as attentive to my family's needs as I should have been.
Fatherhood was more of a burden, an added responsibility that was often at odds with what I wanted to do with my time. Make no mistake: I loved my children desperately, and wanted nothing but happiness and prosperity for them. I just didn't know how such things were achieved, I was still struggling with them myself. How could someone who is lost provide guidance and direction for others, especially small human beings with virtually no experience of their own?
These thoughts are in the front of my mind now, but they were with me back then too, just carefully hidden so as not to betray my ineptitude to others.
So my children and I grew up together, almost like siblings separated by several years. And we became Friends, which the Wise Parents told me was not only the wrong approach, but was actually dangerous. Children must be guided with a strong hand, lest they develop behaviors that society would deem counterproductive. That sounded right, but it didn't feel right. So I merely smiled and ignored such advice. And secretly felt sorry for both them and their children.
My marriage, like so many others, failed when my children were very young. At this point, many of those "good" fathers begin to really fail their children. They let go of the burden, and refocus on their own desires. I could not do that. I missed my children. I no longer had any "best friends," because my children were my best friends. The Army kept me away from them for 14 months, and that nearly killed me. The day we were reunited is branded into my memory; I can still see the looks on their faces, and still taste the joy I felt of my not-yet 3 year-old daughter running into my arms and clinging to me for a couple hours, to make sure I didn't disappear again. At that moment I realized how terrified I had been that she wouldn't remember me.
In the years since I have loved them fiercely, worried about them perpetually, and shared my innermost thoughts with them on a regular basis. And we are still growing up together.
His daughter Janey died when she was only 9 years old from cancer she contracted while living in base housing at Camp Lejeune. Jerry has been fighting for this legislation for many years, and it's safe to say, it wouldn't have happened without his constant pushing. Semper Fi, Master Sergeant.
Like, 20 hours early. But I've been going into work early (alarm is set at 4 am), so I'm in bed before 8 pm so I can read for awhile before snoozing. And posting this now will be one less thing for me to worry about when the curtains slowly close...
Or today, if you don't see this until tomorrow...Okay, that's even more confusing. There's a clock ticking down on the thing, just look at that.
It is important. And funny.
Have I been a good father to my children? I'd like to think so, but that's probably my ego talking more than an objective analysis.
I became a father when I was barely out of childhood myself (20). Still learning what it means to be a mature adult, what society expected of me and what I wanted to become. In many ways I was selfish in those early days, and probably not nearly as attentive to my family's needs as I should have been.
Fatherhood was more of a burden, an added responsibility that was often at odds with what I wanted to do with my time. Make no mistake: I loved my children desperately, and wanted nothing but happiness and prosperity for them. I just didn't know how such things were achieved, I was still struggling with them myself. How could someone who is lost provide guidance and direction for others, especially small human beings with virtually no experience of their own?
These thoughts are in the front of my mind now, but they were with me back then too, just carefully hidden so as not to betray my ineptitude to others.
So my children and I grew up together, almost like siblings separated by several years. And we became Friends, which the Wise Parents told me was not only the wrong approach, but was actually dangerous. Children must be guided with a strong hand, lest they develop behaviors that society would deem counterproductive. That sounded right, but it didn't feel right. So I merely smiled and ignored such advice. And secretly felt sorry for both them and their children.
My marriage, like so many others, failed when my children were very young. At this point, many of those "good" fathers begin to really fail their children. They let go of the burden, and refocus on their own desires. I could not do that. I missed my children. I no longer had any "best friends," because my children were my best friends. The Army kept me away from them for 14 months, and that nearly killed me. The day we were reunited is branded into my memory; I can still see the looks on their faces, and still taste the joy I felt of my not-yet 3 year-old daughter running into my arms and clinging to me for a couple hours, to make sure I didn't disappear again. At that moment I realized how terrified I had been that she wouldn't remember me.
In the years since I have loved them fiercely, worried about them perpetually, and shared my innermost thoughts with them on a regular basis. And we are still growing up together.
His daughter Janey died when she was only 9 years old from cancer she contracted while living in base housing at Camp Lejeune. Jerry has been fighting for this legislation for many years, and it's safe to say, it wouldn't have happened without his constant pushing. Semper Fi, Master Sergeant.
Like, 20 hours early. But I've been going into work early (alarm is set at 4 am), so I'm in bed before 8 pm so I can read for awhile before snoozing. And posting this now will be one less thing for me to worry about when the curtains slowly close...