Good Afternoon, Everyone!
Happy Father's Day!!!
Now it's Daddy's turn to be smothered in loving praise. Fatherhood is a responsibility that should not be taken lightly. If you have been fortunate enough to establish a relationship with your biological father based on love, respect and understanding; then you're truly blessed. Child rearing in many respects is similar to a crap shoot. There is always a 50 percent chance that the most diligent parental efforts may not take root due to a child's individual temperament but love usually finds a way.
Traditionally, men have always been socialized to assume creator, protector and leadership roles in society. Historically, some women have assumed the role of master administrator, being the highest governing authority in a nation, but usually men are "groomed" to assume such roles. Men are usually more concerned with maintaining the basic survival of a family or major societal unit. Their approach to the challenges of life is more direct and less sentimental because they have to be constantly focused on achieving bottom line results in which success is measured in terms of quantifiable results. In the male realm, you either produce results or you don't. There isn't much in the way of a "gray area" that accepts a "mixed" outcome as a success.
For many men, the emotional demands of family relationships don't make them feel comfortable and they focus a great deal of their energy in activities outside of the family to compensate for or avoid these realities. When a man's world view does not include dealing with emotionally charged issues for whatever reasons, it won't make him the most attentive person in a relationship but it does not mean he doesn't deeply care about his loved ones. There may be some emotional "land mines" from his past that he has not processed and he would rather concentrate on providing for his family than being a "warm and fuzzy" shoulder to cry on. That role has been traditionally reserved for Mothers!
Father's Day allows us to honor the men in our lives who have functioned as a stabilizer, protector or mentor to us regardless of their biological relationships to us. I've been blessed with both a caring biological father as well as a caring "stepfather". People, in general, aren't perfect and life presents an endless array of challenges. W. R. Cooper and R. C. McDuffey, today and always I love and honor you! I thank GOD for allowing the both of you to be part of my life!
May Peace Be With All Of You,
Posted By: GAIL COOPER
Tuesday, August 12th 2008 at 4:13AM
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