| I remember my time as a child and my efforts to | | | | could end up badly for his antagonist. I don't know how |
| please and emulate the actions of my dad. Although | | | | but everyone survived these encounters.While moving |
| we were not the same, every effort was made on | | | | my mother from one house to another I encountered |
| my part to copy his every action. My dad was a tough | | | | an old gentleman who had known dad all of his life. In |
| act to follow. He was beloved by all the members of | | | | answer to his inquiries I responded that I was his son. |
| the family. He had a true sense of honesty and | | | | The old man had told me of his respect and admiration |
| seemed to know instinctively the right path in life to | | | | for my dad and offered his condolences concerning |
| follow. I knew that I would always fall short in my | | | | his death. He then added that he believed dad to be |
| efforts to copy his very essence. He seemed to | | | | the most honest person he had ever met during his |
| never falter when everything around him was falling to | | | | long life. Dad was a hard act to follow. I believe that |
| pieces. He was a good man in the strictest sense. I | | | | dad came from an era that appreciated and put much |
| always wondered at the fact that while dad was a | | | | faith in the attributes that he exhibited during his life. |
| moral and upright man he could be an immoveable | | | | The only sure thing in life is change.I married a fine |
| object who refused to give ground to anyone when | | | | woman and we had children. I had tried to be a role |
| he knew he was right. My feeling when I was growing | | | | model like my dad had been for me. I had sons. |
| up was that my dad, uncles and almost every male | | | | Distractions became a major factor in our relationships. |
| figure in the family lived by a code that I had trouble | | | | I gave time and effort into my childrens upbringing. I felt |
| understanding. Dad could be the kindest man on the | | | | that my sons and I did not have the same connection |
| face of the earth while still being the most stubborn | | | | as my father and I had enjoyed. Many factors lead to |
| man that I had ever faced.At his funeral most of the | | | | this distraction. Bad television, peer pressure, alcohol |
| family was torn to bits emotionally. My mother showed | | | | and drugs condoned for use and consumption by our |
| her strong side refusing to show most signs of | | | | children by outside influences led to a dysfunctional |
| weakness. The men in the family were affected in the | | | | attitude in our family. I could never reach my children |
| most severe fashion. Several of dad's grandsons | | | | concerning their correct moral and ethical behavior on |
| broke down emotionally and some went into hiding for | | | | a full time basis. They exhibited great behavior in most |
| several weeks. It was next to impossible for me to | | | | instances but always weakness forced them into bad |
| work. It was all that I could do to even function at | | | | behavior. Viewing the television news and accepting |
| minimal capacities. There were people crying and | | | | reports of sons killing their families and other hideous |
| wailing during the service. The preacher offered his | | | | acts perpetrated by these kids made me feel lucky. |
| take on dad. I remember the words echoing the fact | | | | Everyone is doing it. Drugs, alcohol and bad behavior |
| that throughout the turmoil and storms in the family that | | | | have led to a degradation in our society. Role models |
| dad behaved like a rock.He was unshakeable. That | | | | are few. Kids sometimes rebel against their parents' |
| was true but I knew that dad had another side to his | | | | wishes. The only hope that we can cling to is time. In |
| character. After watching his every action while | | | | time our kids will hopefully understand the life lessons |
| growing up I knew that he could not be intimidated by | | | | that have been taught to them and will act accordingly. |
| anyone. He loved his family more than he could put into | | | | We can only hope that the scriptures in the bible will |
| words. I knew that if anyone made the mistake of | | | | ring true and that our kids will return to the initial |
| threatening his family they would be sure to live to | | | | teachings offered by their parents even though they |
| regret that mistake. He had no fear of anyone. | | | | have strayed momentarily from the truth. Time may |
| Although he exhibited high moral standing in most | | | | be our best friend or our worst enemy. Time will |
| areas anyone threatening his family became his | | | | tell.Stephen Graham: Writes articles from life |
| achilles heel. He could be forced into situations that | | | | experiences and opinions. |