Blog 188 – 12.18.15

One of John Lennon’s most endearing songs is the title of today’s blog. It was written about, for, and sung to John’s son, Sean. At the end of the song John says, “Good night, Sean.” I have written much about my daughter, Emily Elaine White, who passed off this stage three and a half years ago at aged thirty two. I love my daughter and honor her memory by not being sad or thinking of her’s as “an unfinished life” but by being happy and celebrating the thirty two years we did get to share.

I also am the father of a twenty five year old son of whom I am very proud. I have loved him all his life and though he is a handsome young man, I remember when he too, like John Lennon’s son Sean, was a beautiful, beautiful boy.

Daddies have a little different goal and idea of parenting than mother’s do. John expresses that view in the song when he sings, “I can hardly wait to see you come of age. But, in the mean time we’ll both just have to be patient.” Children are in a hurry to grow up too and this is a sadness to many moms who so enjoy them so much when they are little. But, mama, you have to help them grow and prepare to let them go.

I don’t think it an accident that in one of his revelations God/the Universe chose the relationship of a father to a son to communicate His love to us. I no longer believe that the Bible is God’s only revelation or that it contains His entire holy word. God speaks directly to our spirit, our heart, if we would but listen and train ourselves to know His voice.

Fathers try to impart the wisdom of a life time to their children. I did to mine. But then some of us dads just are not that smart. I know my children taught me way more than I ever taught them. And I’m still learning. I have mentioned the song before, Teach You Children Well. I like the way the first verse talks about parents teaching children and the second about children teaching their parents. The difficulty in learning for both is whether parents or children we often think that we already know everything. Parents joke about “know it all” young people but it is an equally debilitating disease of older people. True wisdom is a humbling experience and the more one really knows the more aware he or she is of the even more vastness of the unknown.

Light a candle and a small circumference is illuminated, a small circle of light and a small circle of darkness. Build a fire and the lighted circle grows but also the circle of surrounding darkness. But God is light and in Him is no darkness all. In her young life I taught my daughter much about God as I perceived Him then. Most of the years I spent with my beautiful, beautiful boy I was an atheist so I tried to teach him to think for himself. Both my children had excellent minds and learned to use them I think quite well. That is our job as parents and teachers not to brainwash or program our children but to stimulate their minds and hearts to figure it all out for themselves.

Descartes is quoted for his proof of his existence, “I think therefore I am.” My advise to all children and adults everywhere is to use your noodle and take responsibility for your own thoughts and your own life. It is not your daddy’s, your mommy’ and it sure as heaven is not Madison Avenue’s or the News Media’s to decide. Think for yourself, make your Daddy proud.

Your friend and fellow traveler,
David White