Dear Children,
I cannot tell you enough how proud I was of you tonight. Each and every one of you, down to Simon and Carley. Spending the time with Cindy and Roger Anthony was enjoyable, but you proved to me altogether that my faith in you was well placed. The way each of you conducted yourself and took care of the little ones. Not that it was unusual, but it felt as if I watched you through different eyes tonight and it touched my heart. You made me smile in all you did and I felt a deep pride in my family.
In short, I was honored to be your father.
Not many parents can say such a thing. It’s an aspect of society that I fear will never change until parents learn that their own children should not rule over them and they gain the respect and obedience of their children. Not that they should be tyrants, but can any of you deny my love? Can any of you deny my deep devotion and protection, even though I rule by a strict standard? Do I raise you without compassion? Without joy and laughter? Without considerable freedom and privileges?
I know it’s hard to see why there are so many rules…that is, until you find yourself in those situations in life which make your knees shake and you heart faint. It’s then that you find the rules of our family keep you safe as a natural consequence of your obedience. Just know that it’s always hard, even as an adult, to know why some boundaries are placed.
I can see the impression you make on others when you behave like you did tonight. Not just on the adults, who envy your mother and I and encourage their children to befriend you, but also on your peers. As you openly adhere to your family standards and bring honor to your parents they feel drawn to you. They marvel and yet, when they see the pride and the appreciation your mother and I have for each of you, many of them seek that same relationship and that same experience with their own parents and they are happier for it.
Did you realize you have that power and influence for good, simply because you truly honor your father and your mother?
There are times I worry for your welfare. I wonder if you’re really listening to what your mother and I are trying to teach each of you. Then we have an activity such as this, where you have free reign to be open, boisterous and you unknowingly do me such honor and touch my heart by proving yourselves to be the children every parent wish they had.
I love you. I thank you.
It is so amazing that God would send my best friends to me as my children.
With all my Love,
Your Father
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