Fathering Trust
by Odin Roark

The gift of trust
How rare
How precious
How precarious

From the cradle
To the nursing home
We strive to believe
Hoping risks valid
Disappointments mere lessons
Measured doubt a badge of courage
Even as we learn
Little can be embraced as truth

For most

Somewhere along the way
The trusting child
Becomes a questioning adult
Tiered with experience
Learned patience
Tenacity to succeed
Yet painfully reticent
With such responsibility

Some move into parenting
Sometimes short the necessary dues paid

With fathers
Certain hardwired elements of conscience
Drive duty into a labyrinth of guilt
As all they wish to fulfill
Falls short
No fault of their own

At such times
All that might be left
Is the trust of a child
Of a mate
Yes
Even the family dog
Patiently waiting for scraps

For fathers who persevere
For families who recognize
Earned returns require patience
Credence is often the only security they have

For solvency is not about one's bank account
It is about earned trust
Learned from the cradle
Challenged indefinitely
Misunderstood at times
Too often dashed upon the rocks of old age
Never having been appreciated

Like mothers
Fathers usually try their best
For when all is truly said and done
Such effort for our behalf asks only of trust
The single most precious gem
Anyone can take to the other side

To my trusted teacher of so much
Happy Father's Day Pop
You are missed