Good work ~

I hope my Father succeeded in that, I get the feeling he thinks so. I settled for Daughters, gave them all I had.. and am convinced, on multiple levels - they’re better humans than I

I have five grown kids - 3 girls, 2 boys. For all of them I busted my ass to give them a better childhood and family life than I had; ensure that I not visit the sins of my father upon them; do everything possible to set them up for a happy, fruitful life; instill in them a sense of self worth, responsibility, respect for others, and a sense of purpose; the importance of being comfortable in your own skin; that happiness is more important than money; and that if you do what you love, and do it well, you will be happy.

I tried to give them the skills and tools to be able to deal with the world and the people in it. I instilled a love of learning, the importance of family and friends, the folly of social pressure, and awe in the beauty that surrounds us every single day. I ensured they had an objective & historical understanding of the main religions and sects they'll encounter, and that each person has a spiritual/philosophical journey they must take, and its theirs and theirs alone; they need to research, study, and explore to find their answers - but to always know WHY you believe WHAT you believe, and can defend it.

I taught them the fact that the human body isn't "dirty", it's beautiful, and that sex happens - just make sure you respect yourself first & foremost, your partner(s) second, and that you are always in control of yourself - and that it's not something to be given away frivolously - you're worth more than that.

When I was traveling to Europe on a regular basis I always took some of them with me on each trip because I wanted them to learn that just because someone's culture is different than yours, it doesn't make you "right" and them "wrong" - they're just "different" from what you're used to, yet equally valid. I wanted them to realize that the US is simply a small part of a very, very large world, and that if we want others to respect us then we must respect them, period.

And yet I know I made innumerable mistakes along the way. I'm just happy to say that I didn't fuck them up too much , and that they have all grown up to be women and men I respect immensely. The hubris in me wants to think it's because of me; but the realist/skeptic in me knows that it's actually in spite of me.