Fathers are tricky business

Some of us love and revere them

Feel their presence in all we are as individuals, 

Or find ourselves bedamned by the weaknesses we see in them that have passed on to us;

That we must face within ourselves, to hopefully break the cycles that are hurtful

And to faithfully carry on those that support and boost us all higher

The choices we’ve made; how we’ve lived

Between self-sacrifice and selfishness

Did we disappoint our fathers or did we impress?

Push the family further?

Hold our own to maintain the legacy of the ages?

A legacy passed to us, unasked, and perhaps forwarded on to another generation,

As the legacy was so unasked of all generations past

Yes, tricky indeed

But may I say,

As a father, as a son and as a grandfather

What I want of my kin on Fathers’ Day

What I hope for…

Is to know that my children, stepchildren and grandchildren feel safe and secure and confident

That they feel my love and strength

Buttressing them through every scary moment life forces them to endure

That whatever mistakes I’ve made,

They’ve understood there was no malice, no lack of belief in them as the fantastic indivuals they are

No moment of doubt of them in my heart

Ever

And that they can always know I am there for them

In my unbounded love for them

In any way I can be of help to them

With everything I have put forth into this world

It has all been for you

I hope it can be of use to you

You are all beautiful and important in the Universe

In ways you may never comprehend

And I am damn proud of you

Now don’t worry about giving me any cards or shit

Just go on and keep kicking ass

(With love and respect for humanity, eh?)

PS: for those who, unlike me, have lost their fathers, Billy Bragg has you

Tank Park Salute

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