Addendum to Children's Day

I’ve had a chance to re-think Children’s Day. Perhaps we should make this new holiday a weekend event; one day for the boys, and another for the young ladies. Heavens knows, they’re different. Mother Goose reminded us what they’re made of…snips and snails and puppy dog tails…and sugar and spice and everything nice. And as they grow, the differences grow with them.

As a father, I’ve been able roll with the boy’s punches, knowing they were coming. But the girls are another story. As this recent poem shows, I’m still trying to work it out.

Daughters and Fathers

He would do anything for her

But what she wants him to do

Is nothing

And he has to live with that

He has to keep his thoughts to himself

His eyes closed, his voice silent

Any action on hold

And pray for her to call

That’s what fathers do