Growing up I think we all at some point revolt, push back, and fight our parents. We as humans are growing up and growing into who we will be some day. In that self exploration and development there is a great amount of revolution and turmoil against the establishment. In this case, the establishment being my parents. I am sure there are plenty of times where we clashed and where my anger spilled over into boiling teenage angst, only to be told just wait till you get older. Wait till you have kids...
My parents are the loving supportive type that I am sure at the time were frustrated and angry at us for pushing back so hard...but at the same time forgiving enough to understand that we were kids and we still had a great deal to learn.
Life can be a powerful teacher.
Of course without my dad I wouldn't know the value of hard work, an ethos that he preached and practiced. I wouldn't know the value of saving money (I think he might still have his communion money stashed away somewhere). I wouldn't know the value of laughter and the strength of a strong family bond. Without that I wouldn't be the man I am today, I wouldn't be the parent I am today.
Now that I have a child (soon to be children) of my own I find myself saying "I am becoming my parents..." OR..."Man, I sound just like my dad." I look in the mirror and see him telling me just wait till you have kids.
I may not have ever said it enough as a teenager dad, but even when I was a little sh*t and mouthed off deep down I knew you were right. Deep down in my core I hated that you were right and now I look back and realize that I am glad you were so damn correct. I am happy that you stuck it out and pushed us to go to college, you taught us patience, and also made us humble. I am glad I had a strong male influence in my life to guide me and mold me. Not many people are that lucky, for that I am blessed.
I hope some day I can do that for my sons.
Love you Dad, Happy Birthday,
Ron
(P.S. Sorry for causing you to have so much gray hair... :)
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