Sometimes it seems nearly impossible to find the words to articulate the profound importance of the message we wish to share. The words along with their meanings in the English language are vast many of which even our elders have never heard. So it is with much contemplation that I make this attempt in its simplest form to convey these thoughts to you. I would just about bet that at some point and time you have told someone they were hardheaded. Be assured one must be hardheaded in order to recognize the hardheadedness of someone else. How many of us have seen the sign that said “wet paint” yet ever so stealthily touched that surface and then tried to conceal the paint on our fingers? How many of you that drive a vehicle actually drive the posted speed limits? Who hasn’t been burnt when we are all taught soon after birth that fire burns? The list could go on and on but I’m sure you get the point. We are all some of the most stubborn, hardheaded creatures on this earth. Guess what else… yes YOU just like all other good parents are going to teach and protect your child or children from making the same mistakes. Just like all good dads are going to protect their daughter’s honor no matter if they want you to or not all mothers will have reservations about whether that boyfriend or girlfriend is the perfect mate for their child. So prepare yourself for what is about to unfold in your life. Just like all the rest of us you are convinced from your own experiences that you have it all figured out and will have the perfect relationship with your child. Sadly so much disappointment awaits you. You will be going up against many ferocious enemies. Enemies like friends, peer pressure, TV commercials not even to mention their own fears and insecurities when they are very young all the way up into their teen years. Then a whole new set of issues join the mix. We know them best as drugs, alcohol, and love. Your child that you have a perfect understanding and open relationship with will inevitably be exposed to at least one of these if not all three. Then you will find them putting more distance between the two of you. You will no longer have the answers nor the solutions to any of their problems even though you will be drug into the midst of them all. In secret for the most part you are the perfect parent in the eyes of others… you…are…the… enemy. Before it is all said and done you will join the ranks of the millions of parents before you that say proudly “God I wish I had listened to my parents”. And you will know that even though you did NOT know then what you know now… they did. I welcome you to the vicious circle.
Simply my thoughts
Dean Butler
