“Once Upon A Time”…..A Father’s Tale…

…There has been an eerie silent stillness here in the theater where is set the stage of my life.My bully pulpit rests quietly backstage collecting the wandering dusty thoughts from the corners of my sometimes befuddled mind.Yet all is well as this four act play of my life unfolds on the stage.The first and second acts,the springtime and summer,of my life’s play have passed on along and I am now here in the fall of my life coasting down the hill that will take me to the final act with the winter of my life.

…There is a quiet,gentle easygoing beauty here in the fall of my life.I enjoy my days and nights as they pass here in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains with my wonderful companion the Lovely Lady Leslie.Today is Father’s Day once again and it has set me to the pondering that my wandering heart,mind and soul enjoy and know so well.Indeed I am a FATHER on the short road to 60 years of time here on God’s good earth.I have time for reflection on the ways and why for’s on this wonderous thing we call life and today I shall attempt to put to the great white page what I have learned,lived and found on my road to the very proud and wealthy man I have become today as the blessing of fatherhood has become part of my very soul.

…Any man cane provide that living fluid that bears the seed of life but not all of those who do will accept the mantle of Fatherhood.A sometimes painful,frustrating and often thankless task that requires nothing less than everything a man can provide right down to his very soul and then perhaps a little more.Those of us who accept the challenge and relish the sacrifices and great rewards that are earned go on in our humble lives with the certain knowledge that we and we alone planted the seed of life and tended the garden in which it grew to become something and someone more that we had ever aspired to be.

…There were times in the darkest of nights when we had to find the strength to go on,to find a way over,under and right through seemingly impossible obstacles to carry the family on.We didn’t share those time as they belong to the Father alone as protector and leader of the family.Hours of hard work given selflessly over in the sure knowledge that it is what must be done no matter what it is we think we want a Father always puts the children first….ALWAYS…

…All sacrifices made were paid back with at least a ten fold return on the investment.The progress of our progeny as they grow.They come into our lives with an innocent joy to share that brings to the humble man a happiness that will someday become the rock of satisfaction he climbs upon as he reaches for the stars.I have found my stars in those children I have raised.They have taken all I could teach and each and every one has returned time and again to teach me.So for my Son’s and my Daughter,who has at times needed to be Mother and Father,I wish you all a Happy Father’s Day in return for those greetings you have bestowed on me this day.

…As I now try to finish this speech I stand behind my Bully Pulpit to give the infernal machine has become blurred by tears rolling from my eyes.I find now as I approach the winter of my life to be born again to a new spring as my soul moves along in this universe God has bestowed upon me that I take a near to arrogant pride in the children I as FATHER have humbly raised.Indeed I count myself among the wealthiest of men and in the good company of other Men who can look back and say….Yes,yes those are my Adults there with  Young Stars of their own to raise up to the heavens and teach to shine down upon this good earth…..

 

………I am and shall remain Thecatsman(PhD School Of Hard Knocks)…Ret………