I have a lot of jobs. I draw pictures. I speechify. I blab on the radio. But the hardest job I have — and the most important, is that of a dad. Why a dad, you ask? Because my legacy won’t be the pictures or words I leave behind. My legacy will be my sons and their heirs.
It’s sobering, really.
We go to school to train for our careers. We even go to driver’s ed to learn to drive a car. But being a parent? Well we might pick up a book if we’re curious. Or we’ll ask a friend or a pediatrician for advice. But most of us look to our own upbringing as the gospel of raising kiddos. I know I have. I was really never around a kid before I had my first born.
Oh the mistakes I have made.
The first big mistake was that I wasn’t supportive enough for Amy. I was completely overwhelmed with our little guy when he came into this world. You see, he didn’t come out with an instruction book stapled to his little butt. Come to think of it, neither did his brothers. It was trial and error. And I’m surprised my errors didn’t lead to a trial.
But babies are tough. And so are mamas. I think Amy might have forgiven me by now. I don’t know. But I do know my next two children were equally challenging in their own way. And still are.
I’ll tell you right now, I have been blessed with very good boys. They are polite, studious and fun to be around. They don’t get in much trouble. So my challenge as a father is a little different than I would be in they were hellions.
No, my challenge is having the energy and the time to invest in them. All three are full of potential. My job as a father is to make sure they fulfill it.
My sons.
They are my legacy. They are my most important job.