Father
FATHER
Father, a strong figure,
who we look up to and admire
for he is the provider and the protector,
who puts roof over our head
and puts food on the table.
A good father is a good provider,
to provide the children’s needs
and sometimes what the children want.
He is a strong protector,
who guards and shields the children
from any harm, hurt and mischief.
He at best, maintains a well-balanced home
preserving the peace, yet imposing
the rules and engagements to follow,
to have order in the house
and aspire to build each child’s character.
Instilling in his children’s hearts good values,
instructing to be good and right,
encouraging being the best they can be,
showering love and affection
and speaking words of wisdom
to carry on and pass on
to the next generation.
Father, is the one who picks us up,
when we fall and says to try again.
The one who consoles and encourages,
when we are hurt and broken.
The one who prepares us
to stand tall and be proud.
Although, there are fathers,
who are stern, strict and controlling,
or even hard disciplinarians and rigid;
when, they are not even good
examples of good character.
They lack self-control, are insecure,
immature, callous, insensitive, abusive.
Sometimes, their vices come
first before their children.
There are also fathers, who are enablers
and give their children everything they want
to the point of bailing them out of misdeeds
and covering up their mischiefs.
There are admirable fathers,
who become the primary parent,
raising the children on their own,
thereby, giving the motherly touch
in addition to being the fathers.
There are men, who become fathers
before they even have their own children.
The ones who take on the responsibilities
of being a father to step children.
There are absentee fathers,
who just leave their children behind.
Or the ones, who come and go,
not even caring for the children.
They live like rolling stones,
for they only think of themselves.
There are men, who impregnate women,
and become fathers,
who may or may not even know
that they fathered a child.
Or the ones, who leave upon knowing
the women are carrying a child.
Ready or not, men become fathers.
They may not be perfect fathers;
but who is in this imperfect world?
Although, some fathers try to be.
Yes, some fathers try to be the best they can be,
inspite of balancing the demands
of being providers and fathers.
However, sometimes the demands
of high powered careers or two jobs
to provide for the children’s needs
can be demanding and time consuming
that they might not be around
in some important occasions.
For some, men do not know how to be fathers
because they grew up in dysfunctional families
and are learning how to deal with their own
personal issues or insecurities.
Deep in their hearts,
they love their children.
They just don’t know how to show it.
Fathers, who art thou?
Let us forgive our fathers,
who may have failed to do
what an ideal father does.
A forgiving heart has no boundaries
for it goes beyond understanding
and beyond all odds, as it opens
our hearts, our mind and our souls.
So, honor thy fathers, no matter what,
for we will not be here without fathers.
It will also lay a strong foundation
for our own integrity and character.
6/1/21
Written: 2019
Published in 2020
.
Copyright © Marilene Evans | Year Posted 2021
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