REFLECTIONS ON FATHERHOOD Written by Arleen M. Kaptur
Father’s Day - stores are filled with gift ideas and cards. There are special programs dedicated to honoring fathers. Yes, fathers are a very special group of people. This is an open letter to each and every father out in world. This is directed at you if you currently are living and raising your children, your children are grown, or you have fathered a child but do not have pleasure of being an integral part of that child’s life. Also, if you are a father and do not have or want any contact with a child that carries your physical attributes, this is for you. A child is a unique combination of genes. Some are from mother and some are contributed by father. There are previous generations that also are taken into account. In other words, this child is a burning emblem of civilization and is given responsibility of carrying torch of world to its resting place. There is so much more than scientific endowments. There are emotions, hopes, dreams, and aspirations. A child is a mirror that reflects only best of what mankind is capable. of creating. It is history in making, a promise for future, and pride of beholder. A child is a complicated assortment of atoms and molecules, as well as a simple solution to loss of hope. You can dream with a child, and grow in awareness of everything around you. Miracles abound in life with gift of innocence. Time comes to a standstill and our daily activities are sidestepped so we can look at an insect and marvel, or see a bird and truly see it for first time. Giggles, hugs, and tickles wrap up a perfect day. We are one step closer to perfection and yet small hand of a child holds keys. Their steps are tiny and road is long. They have endurance and capabilities we can only marvel at. A child is simplicity dressed up in its finest.
| | CELEBRATE A CHILD Written by Arleen M. Kaptur
This month we celebrate CHILDREN’S DAY. We already have a Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, and a Grandparents’ Day. Why should we have a Children’s Day? Don’t we give young ones enough attention in everyday life? We cater to their needs, give up needed sleep and relaxation so we can spend quality time with them. The media exalts their deeds, whether good or bad. They are featured in magazines, books, newspapers, and on television. So why a Children’s Day? Those of us who are truly blessed with children can attest to fact that they are never clones of ourselves. Surely, on more than one occasion, we wish they could do some of things we did as children, or enjoy some of games, hobbies or interests we had. We even encourage this with gifts of whatever we liked, or dreams we pursued. Somehow they manage to go on their merry way, and leave us standing in dust to hope that they will be happy with lives they have chosen. If you have more than one child, then multiply these feelings by just as many. The world is run by adults. We make laws and we enforce them. We create products and we market them. We decide who does what and when. We tolerate some behavior and condemn others. We judge, decide, and act as adults. Now enter world of a child. It is as colorful as a box of crayons, as bright as sunshine, and as warm as a favorite quilt or blanket. In heart of a child lives hope, dreams, goals, ambitions, and destinations. These heart-held attributes change with time and sometimes when these children reach adulthood, these hopes and ambitions are totally changed, sometimes by choice and sometimes not. Look into eyes of a child and you have a glimpse of destination of world. Take them by hand and you place yourself at mercy of sweet smiles, bear hugs and moist kisses. They may smudge you with dirty hands yet those fingerprints leave a mark of confidence that world will continue to turn and there is a chance that it will get better. Whether you have children of your own or have opportunity to be friends with children of other people, don’t miss out on challenges they freely give and dreams they will paint your life with. Children use imagination if given chance, and opportunity if you open door. They dance with wind and skip through raindrops. A child always sees pot of gold at end of rainbow, where as adults we may even miss rainbow. They listen to our tales, and they go on to create their own. The little ones will sit with us by a quiet stream and while we take a much deserved nap, they dream of what will be and how they will make it happen.
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