This Letter from the Editor is going to be about an
important subject. One that deals with how a child can grow up in mainstream
America, or in any other part of the world, with dignity, strength, disciple and
love. These values instilled in children come from an important member of our
family. Papa.
I am dedicating this letter to two important men in my
life, my two fathers. Of course my paternal father, who raised me to be the man
I am today, and to Jesus, who I strive to be like every day.
My dad taught me how to be a man of honor, dignity and
trustworthiness. He taught me how I should not take anything for granted, and no
matter what, to be honest with the people I deal with. I am a hard worker, which
is an Italian trait. I am someone that can be counted on whenever there is a
problem. I do my best to be the man my father is, but I always see fault in my
work. Perhaps I am too hard on myself, or perhaps I need to work harder. My dad
has accomplished so much in his life, but nothing compares to the love he brings
to our family and the love he shows for us. My mother and father have been
together for 40 years, and to show for it they have raised an incredible
daughter and two good sons. In each of the three kids we were taught how to
behave and respect our elders. We were warned about the troubles that a teenager
could get into and how to stay out of harm’s way.
What I learned from my father
wasn’t always easy for me to take in. Discipline was something I needed, and the
desire as a child to quit something that is hard to face was a lesson my dad
taught me not to do. It is so easy to quit when things get tough, but my dad
showed me that quitting is never an option and that fighting for what is right
is never wrong. No matter what the consequences are.
One example of this lesson
came when I was diagnosed with Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis at the age of 10.
For many years I struggled to walk. The arthritis was making it hard for me to
go to school, to play outside with my friends, but he never let me get down.
(That is something I have to thank all my family for, as well.)
It is amazing the love that a
man can show for his children and how important he can be in the life of a
child. Without a father, maturity takes longer to develop, and the ability for a
male child to learn how to love is more difficult. If I ever become a father, I
hope that I am able to teach all those hard lessons that my father taught me.
That is where I bring in my
other Father. Jesus Christ is the most important person in my life. Everything I
do as an adult is influenced because of Him. I struggle to emulate Jesus. I am
not perfect and I sin. I work so hard to be the man that I know Jesus wants me
to be, and when I fail I get sad. I hate the feeling of failing, and when I let
myself down it is His love that keeps me going. And it is His passion that he
went through that makes me pick and choose the battles I know He wants me to
take on.
The Crosses that I bear in
life only make me stronger in my Faith. I work harder when I fail. I am more
diligent in my duties as a working man, as a God-fearing man and as a passionate
man, who only attempts to please my Fathers.
So, I have a challenge for
you this Father’s Day, June 15th, 2008. Make it a special one. Don’t
just buy your father a tie or some cologne, but make sure you let him know the
love, compassion, care and discipline he has taught you is appreciated. Allow
your father to bask in the glory of your never-ending love. Let your dad know
that the struggles and sacrifices he has gone through are not for nothing.
And if you are a God-fearing
person who loves the Lord, thank Him for the protection, love, sacrifice and
life He has given you and your loved ones.
