Ted, do not words of power stand tall unto themselves, in spite of who launches them? Should not words of power be remembered painted in there own essence, rather than clothed in he who spoke them?
" Letters To Ted" # 83 4/30/2002
My Father’s Words
My friend of old Ted,
My friend, as always I pray this communiqué of sincere heart, finds you and yours basking in regions of richness and adventure this day. For surely in your case, the richness is well deserved, and the adventure, well, all should be adorned in it as well, to my way of thinking.
Ted, recently my dearest friend Carla asked me a question most probing indeed. She asked concerning my practice of quoting my Father so often. Yes, it appears often I do stand him upon a pedestal for his many words of wisdom spoken. Carla's concern and question, was due to the fact that throughout my series and collection to her, the indifference and coldness dispensed from my Dad to me was quite apparent. Hence, why all the recall of his words seemingly wrapped in such affection?
Hmm, good question, and as always I certainly do have an answer! Did you ever doubt it? My Father’s disinterest, and seeming contempt for me throughout my entire life still does haunt and dog me in bewildering fashion to be certain. I as well admit to flashing many of these many sayings due to my insecure attempt to display some semblance of normality in my upbringing. For surely all children do adore quoting their parents in affectionate recollection.
I adored my Dad my entire lifetime, he was the only hero I ever had! This glorification of him, as well as my never-ending attempt to capture his affection, remained operative until his death! Yes, it was not until the very end that I finally had concluded that he always was disappointed in me, as well, no real sense of Fatherly love existed at all! I guess it was easier to convince myself falsely all these years, that there remained some affection. But in my final discussions with him, he made it abundantly clear and apparent, that I had brought him no joy nor satisfaction, but only pain and disappointment! Yes, I was not even welcome at his funeral service! Geez, that's a hard one to swallow, even for the worst of mankind traipsing among us this day.
Anyway, why then my often recollections of his words recalled and painted? Ted, cannot one salute the words of a man spoken, without saluting the man? If worthy words, worth recalling fall from the lips of a cruel man, are they still not worthy of recall? And should not the man in question be given proper tribute for the words dispensed and recalled?
Cannot one I ask, offer a hearty tribute to the preacher’s words with an enthusiastic ‘amen’ even if the tribute nor words reflect not the character of the man speaking them? Do not words of wisdom as well as standards set forth; remain valuable in time, no matter whose mouth they proceed from? Cannot even a moron quote a proverb and be perceived as enlightened?
Ted, do not words of power stand tall unto themselves, in spite of who launches them? Should not words of power be remembered painted in there own essence, rather than clothed in he who spoke them? For surely if the only sayings of wisdom we hope to recall rest in upon the lips of the worthy, we shall be left with little indeed to pass on to the next generation hungry indeed!
Should not wisdom itself be supported upon the very stilts and carriage of the words themselves? Rather than upon the heart of he who dispenses them? We many and all preach often good things wrapped in splendor that perhaps portray not our essence of self. Yet I say carry on! For surely words of wisdom are hungered after indeed! If we are in fact left to await the words of excellence to be spoken by a heart planted in like form, we shall perhaps wait eternally!
May we take my words as an example my esteemed friend? Surely my words clothed in innocence and tenderness alike, display not my conduct acted out! Yet shall these words painted in softness reign not? Surely this would end in tragedy! For the whole purpose of the exercise of venting one’s best side deeply hidden, is to one day attain conduct matching as well. No, those closest to me know well, that my words portray often my heart buried in hidden excellence, while my conduct remains quite different to be sure!
So then do I remain a hypocrite and fake pasted in falsehood, because my conduct matches not the aspiration of my heart’s words? I think not, although many would disagree. For the purpose of disclosing and revealing my deep-seated heart, painted in far more excellence than my conduct, is to one day have the two merge in a starburst state of climax. For my words represent the whisperings of my heart yet achieved, and my poetry upon parchment, my desire of true self to be birthed into reality!
Shall therefore my words painted often in excellence insofar as the standard hoping to be achieved then be buried, until my conduct is matching? I think not, for my words of heart exploding in excellence are the wings indeed that one day shall overcome my conduct of day. Yes, to my way of thinking, my words spoken of heart, portraying my true essence in raw form, are indeed my only chance! Shall my words and high ideals one day overcome, unite and attach wings to my body so frail and faulted? This indeed is my quest Ted! That one day the desire of my heart spawned in excellence, shall unite with my conduct of day, perhaps creating a unification painted in far more splendor than that of today.
Do I therefore paint myself as a fake by the very words that I breathe daily upon parchment, not accurately painting my steps daily taken? I think not! For it remains my hope of heart, that one day I shall become the man that my heart paints daily upon parchment daily.
Should my pleas for moral excellence, compassion, and human decency be not flown as a flag, due to the fact that I lie in such imperfection this day? I trow not! For it remains my deep conviction, that one can merely state, ‘do as I say, rather than I do’, especially if the former rides in higher ideals and standards.
Yes, we often dismiss words of wisdom a many, by stating that the speaker of these words abides by them not! Who cares? Good words are good words unto themselves! Would not and should not the pure words spoken, reflect that of the character of the man wielding them however? Yes, to be sure, in an ideal setting as well as an ideal world! However we embrace not either this day I sadly state.
So yes, I shall continue to trumpet the many sayings that my Daddy now gone left me, respecting and remembering in heart, that it took a man attempting to attain, to speak them at all! Yes, to be sure, Daddy left me indeed with moral hurdles and high standards, that perhaps no man can achieve to be certain, but yet, I reckon as well, that it wouldn't hurt any of us to try!
So let us cling and cleave unto the power of the words spoken, rather than to allow good sound words to wilt and die upon the vine, due to the imperfection of the orator. For truly, had the orator, preacher and speaker alike, had not a heart speckled with goodness, they would not have spoken good words into the mouth of time to begin with!
Yes, wisdom remains wisdom, and good words beget good words! May they reign throughout time not tainted by the speaker painted in imperfection, but rather may they fly through time upon their own wings mounted in merit indeed.
Yes Ted, my Daddy's words shall forever remain showcased upon my heart and words spoken into time so fleeing. Why? Because they were good words worthy of recalling and remembering, as well as the man also, my Dad, who I believe deep down in his heart, was a good man as well. Though his goodness perhaps never surfaced and flew in my direction, his words a many I believe reflect the heart of goodness he attempted to free and fly his entire life.
May you ride now in complete freedom Daddy, in the presence of the Angels, forevermore.
Peace,
Rodney
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Reviewed by Joseph* OneLight*®
6/23/2006
Dear Rodney,
It's good to, once again, read language so fresh and pure from the heart! Is this book available yet? If so, I would like to have a copy to immerse my spirit in. In the meantime, I think I'll re-read "Letters to Carla", which is probably one of the most captivating books I've ever read. Yes, I mean what I say ... ever!
Many of us mistook our parents' good intention, and did not know that they meant well when spoken.
I, for many years while growing up, thought that my Dad didn't like me as much as my siblings, but how wrong I was! I've found out the real meanings of "encouragements" after he passed away.
He will always be my guardian angel, and will always be in my heart.
What a wonderful unique write this is!!! Thank you so much for sharing!!!
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