Last night had the greatest opportunity to speak to some of the moms and dads of the scouts that I have the privilege to lead. I was awestruck as my wife and I sat there and spoke to some of them. I have learned so much about the boys, their family, and how much the boys enjoy scouting.
It amazes me how much these boys really know about the entire scouting experience. You look at them running around and wonder if they are getting anything out it. They have loads of fun with their leaders and leaders are having just as much fun. Mom and dad stick around because they are learning just as much as the boys are and they (mom and dad) are having great conversations with each other.
Those moments spent talking made me proud to be their leader. I saw hope for our young people in these boys and their families. I saw that America's future may not be that bad after-all. With young men like these leading our great country, I feel like I can sleep a little bit better. No, I don't expect everyone of them to great military men, politicians or mastermind some great business venture. But I do see that they will grow up with an appreciation for what scouting has offered them - opportunity.
The opportunity to be just be a boy, a chance to get their hands dirty and learn something new, a chance to get out into the woods and camp - real camping in a tent and washing their mess kits, looking for fire wood; a chance to offer their suggestions and ideas on how to do things; a chance to have their voices heard and appreciated.
I like to be believe that I am a very observant person, and I see wonderful things happening for our young men. I too enjoyed scouting when I was young. It was a lot different than it is right now. I gained a sense of accomplishment every time I did finished a task in my handbook. A thought just came to mind. In one of Tyler Perry's plays - there is a mother who so proud of her son, she said: "that's why my son went to Penn State and not the state pen:" Her statement was based on how she raised her son. Yeah, she right - it's how we raise them. Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not depart from it. That doesn't mean he won't stray, but it does mean he will never forget what he was taught. Our boys and girls are facing trials that we never had to deal with.
The moms and dads I spoke with last night, know all too well what their kids are facing. The glimmer of hope that I saw was this, they know what they are up against and they are doing their best to prepare their kids (boys and girls) for what life is throwing at them. Technology is ever changing and no one person can keep up with it. We might want our children to have the latest and greatest tech toy - but at what expense?
Some families on communicate via text messages or some social network. My kids aren't allowed to text me - I need to hear their voices so that I can hear that everything is fine. I love all 4 of my kids, and I thank God for giving me such wonderful woman who is there for me and all of the things I am involved with. She really is a helpmate and not a hinderance. She gives me good advise, she is a great mom, a great woman and my absolute best friend. We have a wonderful parenting relationship and we're thankful that we have open communication with our children so that they can talk to us about anything without fear.
So, with all that I saw last night, I am going to give the 2 men who claim to be my father - yet another chance. Not for them, but for me. I missed out on too much and I need to grab hold of this moment while it's in me. You see, I need to put closure on the subject. Even if they don't want the relationship - I have to make sure that I have done my best. I am sure it's what my mom would have wanted. I don't need a DNA test at this point in my life - just answers to some questions that have been nagging at me. If more develops - good, if not - no love lost. But before I allow my children to get any closer to either of them, it has to work with me first. I will not set the kids up for disappointment. Besides, they look at my uncle as their grandfather - and I wouldn't change that for anything in this world. He loves them.
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