June 15, 2008 at 13:15:51 View Ratings | Rate It Headlined on 6/15/08: ON BEING AN IMPERFECT FATHER by Allen L Roland www.opednews.com

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You are the bows from which your children as living arrows are sent forth. The archer sees the mark upon the path of the infinite, and he bends you with his might that his arrows may go swift and far. Let your bending in the archer's hand be for gladness; for even as he loves the arrow that flies, so he loves also the bow that is stable : Kahlil Gibran /  The Prophet

I am the bow that has sent forth four children, as living arrows, into this imperfect world . I have been far from perfect as their Dad but I have always loved and cherished them on their separate flights.

All are adults now and they, in turn, have sent forth five living arrows into this world. They, as parents, are also not perfect but they are loving and cherishing their children on their separate flights.

As a father, I find myself increasingly becoming an interested observer of this archery for each of my children has seemingly taken my strengths and discounted my failings in becoming a stable bow to send forth their children.

But what makes a stable bow ? Is it always being there for my children ? Is it setting goals and principles to live by ? Is it giving them what my father gave me ?

Since I never had a father ~ I can only draw on what my grandfather gave me and in that sense ~ my children have been blessed.

For my grandfather gave me the gift of himself ~ the joy, exuberance and magic of his presence lives within me to this day.

And I, in turn, have given my children the same gift and hopefully they will pass it on to their children.

As such, the stable bow of fatherhood is the honest gift of myself for in having the courage to live my dreams ~ I have not only shown my children the path of the infinite but I have also fully shared the joy of the flight.

Allen L Roland  http://blogs.salon.com/0002255/2008/06/15.html

Freelance Alternative Press Online columnist and psychotherapist Allen L Roland is available for comments, interviews, speaking engagements and private consultations    ( allen@allenroland.com ) 

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http://www.allenroland.com

Allen L Roland is a practicing psychotherapist, author and lecturer who also shares a daily political and social commentary on his weblog and website allenroland.com He also guest hosts a monthly national radio show TRUTHTALK on Conscious talk radio www.conscioustalk.net

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