Of course, it was from John’s Papa that I learned how to be a father – the best role model a son
could ask for.Also, it was because John’s Mammy & Papa took in foster babies while I was growing up that I learned how to change a dirty diaper and all the other logistics of fatherhood long before JW was born.
But from JW, being our first born, I learned the awesome responsibility of having another human being be totally dependent upon you.I learned from my son (and from his Mama) what it feels like to love someone more than the gift of life itself.
I learned from JW that a parent’s ability to help shape another’s character ends at a pretty early age – that before you know it, you’ve done all you can do as a parent and that ultimately it is up to the child to make the most of what he is given, from both God and his parents.
I learned from my son the need to recognize life as the gift it is and the need to live it to the fullest at all times – an accomplishment at which JW doubtlessly succeeded.
I learned from JW the sheer joy of watching your boy grow up to be a good man – a very good man indeed.
I learned from my son how it is possible to live a truly holy life in a very unassuming way.
I learned from JW (and all my children) that a parent becomes truly wise when he recognizes just how much he can learn from his children.
I learned from my son what “Thy Will Be Done” means; that it simply means “my will not be done,” no matter how worthy and just I believe it to be. It does not necessarily mean God wills the opposite – it just means that I cannot live life expecting my will to prevail, no matter how noble I may think it is.Finally, and most importantly, I learned from my son a better, albeit still imperfect, understanding of the loving, vulnerable, defenseless, and self-emptying generosity of God and his invitation to us to share in it.
No comments:
Post a Comment