My godson is spot on when he said he would like to be surrounded by people who are positive thinkers and successful in their own fields. He understands that the people around him can and will influence him, and that being said, he would like to be influenced in a way that is beneficial to him, his wife, and future children.
It got me to thinking. Who are the people around me? More important, who are the people around my two sons?
Rinaldo Under the Sun
Once again, I reiterate. The children did not ask to be born. They are young, vulnerable, and deserved to be loved, cared for, and nurtured. As their father, I have to provide for them, teach them and guide them. One day, I have to set them free, and if I did, they should be able to survive on their own.
Of all the duties, responsibilities or obligations, as a father, providing for them is the least of my concern. Lifestyle can change, depending on my financial capability. Truth be told, the less they have, the stronger they will be when they grow up. Obviously, I refer to less as earning enough to send them to school, besides a place to live at, food to eat, and paying for medical bills.
Renzo on the Baby Crib
In teaching the children, academically, I am only an extension of the school. They learn in the school and I can only reinforce what they learned. Other than academic lessons, I have to teach them valuable lessons in life. I have to prepare them to take on the real world, and in the process, I have to ensure their psychological and emotional well-being.
Life is not fair, some would say. When faced with events that could affect children psychologically and emotionally, they will have to live through, understand, and eventually accept. If I could have my way, I would not wish for my children to experience such events. Yet, for lack of a better phrase to say it, shit happens.
I found myself in the process of surrounding my children with people who will truly care, and understand. These people are family to me – by blood, by relation, and by trust. These people also include their teachers and guidance councilors.
Paul, spot on!
Daddy Lee 1969 
#1 by N. Angail on August 2, 2012 - 1:46 am
This is very true. The people around will help you excel or hold you back. I also believe that the challenges and disappointments in life must be “storied” in a way that is empowering. We can’t control what happens to us, but we can control how we respond. Glad to meet you, sir!
#2 by ROBERT LEE on August 2, 2012 - 3:48 pm
N. Angail,
Thank you for visiting, reading and leaving a comment. Yes, I agree with you that experiences – good and bad, must be used as empowerment, as a motivation to make something bad become better, and something good into the best… If there is ever such a thing.
So glad to meet you too. I visited your blog too and added it on my bookmark. Great job you did. I hope I can learn more from you about writing.