All That Matters

I've come a long way as a Dad. How do I know? Patrick told me so. A text message from PT yesterday lifted me to the highest ground. "...Helps me be a better person as well." A compliment, an affirmation that effort is recognized is always comforting. The sharing of the influence the work has on the one who compliments is the greatest gift. It's all that matters.

When I was a young dad all that I wanted to matter was what I produced in terms of money, fun, and objects. What those said about me was good enough, to hell with anything deep and meaningful. Looking out at the countryside as the sun enters the day, I see a landscape waiting patiently to produce whatever man insists. "Do my will," we say to earth and earth obliges. Then when the earth gives abundance we say "Not enough. Give me more." How often did I treat my part of the earth with disrespect and think I was being a man worthy of respect from his sons?

I admire the young father who lives life being grateful, patient, and forgiving. I am content being the older father who is growing to be the father he is able to be when his sons need him most. That's all that matters.