A CHANGING OF THE GUARD

As time passes I grow more concerned about my destiny, and the future of my children, and their children.
As a child, I anticipated the day when my father would take me for that special, inevitable father/son walk and talk.
To me, it was the time of the changing of the guard, when a boy becomes a man, as directed by his own sire.
In my heart, it would be a "day of days" like no other.
We never had that talk.
I grew up, travelled some, accomplished some more, and yet "the talk" remained important to me.
One day, inadvertantly, Pop told me that one of the most important things in life is " son, learn to finish what you start".
And, appreciate the value of "stability", stay in place long enough to grow.
He was diagnosed with prostate cancer shortly after this conversation took place.
And although he did not leave me money in his will or make me the beneficiary of his life insurance, he gave me something of far greater value: he taught me how to be a better man.
Cancer inevitably laid claim to his once magnificent physique.
Both the spirit and the love never died. He passed it on to me.
I am determined to spread the message of father and son restoration, with the love of a good man as my inspiration.
Whenever I see young men corrupted by gang life or with their underwear exposed, I pray and remember "Pop", who told me:
"Son, always finish what you start".