Product of the Past

We are all products of the past. We have no choice in this matter but the choice we do have is not to be prisoners of the past. The process of growing up involves learning from our mistakes. Growing old is not a choice but growing up is a choice that some do not wish to take. The absent father is a problem, always has been a problem but not as great as it is today. Approximately 40% of young men will grow up today without the presence of a father. This number doesn't take into account the large number of present yet uninvolved fathers. Every young man needs an older man to pattern himself after. Because of the absent or uninvolved father, many boys grow up without any idea of what they are supposed to be. So then what we're left with is a world full of boys walking around in bodies designed for men. This cycle continues until someone steps in and breaks the pattern. Young boys need someone to model what a man is supposed to be. The best example would be an involved father. If the father isn't available, then another man (such as a coach or teacher) would be the next best thing to providing this role model. Growing up, I had always focused on the time that my father was not there. He worked during the day and evenings so mom was responsible for taking care of things for the most part. What I should have focused on was the time that my dad was there. We took many vacations together as a family. We went fishing and camping more times than I could count. When I was in my early 20's my dad suffered a major heart attack. He has lived just short of 30 years with this damaged heart. I learned more from him in the years after his heart attack than my teen years. He was forced to slow down, take advantage of his family and their time together. I learned to make time to be involved in my daughters life as much as I could. As I said earlier, I am a product of my past. I can either learn from my past and grow, or continue the cycle and repeat mistakes without any growth.