When a Father Prays

Of the many things that have attracted my attention of late, is the realization that I need to grow up as a better human being in order to have a credible chance at inspiring my children to do so. And naturally the question arises: "What is the definition of a perfect human being?" or "When can a parent be happy about having done a good job at raising a child, not a parasite?"
Brothers and sisters, Ladies and gentlemen, for many years this question was unanswered but I found the answer to this question, after roaming around half the world, in my father's study. I don't know the source, but regardless of whether my father wrote it by himself or whether he was inspired by someone, the fact that he has it hung as the only framed poster in his room makes me kneel humbly before my Dad and say: "Here's a Man!"

The poster reads, and read it very carefully my dear friends, for it comes from the sacred recesses of the heart of a father who lives on, his life a candle, diminishing as it burns in constant turmoil, but still giving light to his family. I might not have said this to you directly Dad, but in front of the whole wide world: You are the best. I am lucky to have you by me now and always. Acha, (that is what i call my Papa) I love you!

The poster reads:

A FATHER'S PRAYER

Build me a son, O Lord! who will be strong enough to know when he is weak and brave enough to face himself when he is afraid; one who will be proud and unbending in honest defeat but humble and gentle in victory.

Build me a son whose wishes will not take the place of his deeds, whose wishbone will not be where his backbone should be; a son who will know Thee and that to know himself is the foundation of all true knowledge.

Lead him, I pray, not in the path of ease and comfort but under stress and spur of difficulties and challenges. Here let him learn how to stand up in the storm; here let him too learn compassion for those who fail.

Build me a son whose heart will be clean, whose goals will be high; a son who will master himself before he seeks to master other men; one who will learn to laugh but never forget to cry; one who will reach into the future but never forget the past.

And after all these things are his, I pray, enough of a sense of humor so that he may always be serious yet never take himself too seriously. Give him a touch of humility, so that he may always remember the humility of true greatness, the open mind of true wisdom and the weakness of true strength.

Then, I, his father, will, in the secret recesses of my own heart whisper, "I have not lived in vain".