to be a father

[keithalanhamilton]

within a decade, my twenties, I became a father three times
scared, oh yeah, no training manual provided to prepare me
looking back at pictures of myself, I seemed so young then
man, what an honor and yet a truly incredible responsibility
how did I do it all, I really don't know, I just did it each day

somehow, somewhere, I found the strength deep inside me
only the example of my father, some things I swore not to do
and did I make mistakes, later to tell my father I now knew
you do the best you can, you make decisions others won't like
people count on you and take for granted the security you give

to be a good father, I shrug my shoulders, where do I begin
if you are already on the journey, I can sympathize not judge
and if not one yet, you'll fret and worry while finding a way
truly an experience worth living, lasting one a whole lifetime
from one father to another, I'm proud to be amongst our kind

[Yejun]

The most advice I ever get about being a father are from those who are not fathers.

This is not intended to be as facetious as it sounds but the ones who aren't do indeed think about fatherhood more than those that are. Those that are don't have time to think.

[mtmynd]

i remember well many years ago sitting around at break time with fellow workers when one man says: "I've got seven kids... I'm muy macho!"

I answered him: "It takes a prick to get a woman pregnant, but it takes a man to raise his children."

He never brought up his machismo again.

[keithalanhamilton]

everyone, thanks for the input