Thought for today:
"When I first fathered children, they used to come with me everywhere. I'd often have one in my arms and other by my side. I was a popular neighbour and would often allow someone else's offspring to accompany me with mine. Had anyone asked me then, I would probably have had no difficulty in modestly telling them, 'Now if you really want to put me forward for the 'Father of the Year' nomination, I would undoubtedly fit the worthy category and you'd probably be on to a safe bet.'
Looking back however, and with the benefit that the passing of time and adequate reflection is known to bring, I'd have to honestly conclude today that, Yes, I was an 'okay' type of dad who always tried to do his best for his children, but I was also a dad who wasn't any better than millions of other dads who loved their children as much as I did.
Isn't it strange how partial people become to the smell of their own while being perfectly happy to turn up their noses at the smell of others. 'Nobody in my daughter's class could do........ before her! My son was reading...............books before any other boy or girl in his class! etc. etc. etc. '
Often such comments are usually concluded by that celebratory crescendo; 'He is so gifted for his age that he never fails to amaze his parents or teachers.' The sole purpose of this parental crow is to pierce the heart of any parent who sometimes made mistakes or momentarily thought of themselves once before that of their spoiled offspring. Then there is that parental puff that tops all other puffs of one's parental worth and which is designed to crown oneself 'the mother of all mothers and the peacock daddy of all daddies': 'I love my children more than any parent could ever love their child! I live for their ever moment and if needs be, I would be prepared to die for them.'
Oh no you don't! Oh no, you wouldn't Get back in your box, mister! Put a sock in it, mother! You're no better or worse than the vast majority of us. And just in case you think that you are any better than any of us, then the next time you go to the loo, know that your shit stinks too!" William Forde : January 9th, 2014.
