What Fathers Wrestle With

Do you think of him?

How often
do you think of your father?
And in what shade
of light?

Whether you like to admit it
or not
He occupies a cell 
inside your heart. 

Eternal bricks in your wall,
some good parts 
and some bad.
As much as you try to shake them
They live within 
you.

You smile 
at the ones you are grateful for.
And shudder 
at what you are not 
so proud to 
admit.

Your father,
A driving force in your life.

How did he shape you?
How did he inspire you?
And in what ways has he 
let you down?

Here lies a treasure trove of lessons,
Which becomes your gift 
to the world.

It’s interesting to ponder,
Who is your father?
Do you know him? (or did you)
Like, really, 
know 
him?

My guess is no, 
you only knew a part of him.
You only knew the part 
he wanted to show you.
Or the part he was 
incapable of 
hiding.

Think how much you 
hide 
from the world. 
Or what you can’t even remember 
to share. 

The struggles, 
triumphs, 
tough trade-offs, 
love 
and heartbreak. 
The ways you’ve grown, 
and things you'd rather forget.
It’s all there, 
in a human life.

We’re all 
a work in progress, 
and people are lucky 
(or not so lucky) 
to catch us 
at various stages 
of that 
progress.

And that 
is something 
all fathers 
wrestle with, 
whether they show it 
or not. 

---

Reflection

It’s Father’s Day here in Australia tomorrow…

Sit with this one.

There is something to be found.

How does this piece speak to how you want to show up for those you care about?

---

I help you live with more purpose, depth, and possibility — at a slower pace. I send two emails weekly. Join The Meaning Path:

---

On today’s walk, the sky was alive with passion: