Saturday, July 31, 2010

Fathers and Sons

On the surface it would have seemed to some an insignificant few moments...the conversation I had with my son...topical issues that confront most young people...what made those 20 minutes wholly significant to me was the self-realization...the wisdom, insight, enlightenment that it felt I brought to the moment...those things that seemed in short supply in my relationship with my dad..."his way or the highway"...his intelligence, his success in business widely known and noted...belied a less than stellar father/son relationship...I am not successful in the 'conventional' sense of the word...yet those 20 minutes of father/son conversation reflected a success that cannot be bought nor sold...that's why it meant so much to me.


My creative offering today is dedicated to my son, Ben, seen in the picture above taken a few years ago.


This prompted writing exercise is part of a weekly meme...Saturday Centus...brought to you by Jenny Matlock. Please go and check out the wonderful creative responses to this week's prompt (above in bold italics). You are always welcome to join in the fun.


Jenny Matlock

19 comments:

  1. Great creative words used here. Really descriptive of the situation! He looks like a great lad!

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  2. We all hope to be a good example as well as an understanding confidant to our children...looks like you nailed it.

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  3. Kinda sounds like my relationship with my dad. I don't know if it was the generation he came from. My husband had a totally different kind of relationship with our son. Oh well, I guess my dad did the best he knew. Great thought provoking post for me.

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  4. Snug and compact construction, works well and makes a terrific point.

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  5. Jeff this was very special. I love those close moments with our children. My Dad wasn't much for conversation but his love was there.

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  6. Wow, are we related? My dad wanted things his way or the highway too!

    Really good, Jeff! And so wise.

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  7. OK, I know I'm older then you and all BUT can you be my Dad. In a totally non-weird kinda of sick West Virginia way.

    Ummm..

    OK.

    No more coffee for me!

    This was really a neat post Jeff. You are really an amazing communicator.

    I think your family is lucky to have you.

    Thank you for linking.

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  8. I'm trying to make up for years of lost time with mine right now...
    You're awesome to be this kind of Dad. You're both blessed, and so are we for reading this!

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  9. Great story, Jeff! I think a lot of us have had a strained father/son relationship and it's a great lesson for how we raise our own. Nicely done, sir!

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  10. Well done! I think this says volumes about the kind of day you are, Jeff. Lucky little guy to have you as his dad. ~ Sarah

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  11. All of those "small" moments with our children add up to a big impact. Nicely done.
    Cee

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  12. The marvelous moments of ones life that live on in both Father and Sons heart and sole, forever. Beautiful thoughts, Jeff.

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  13. That's really moving, Jeff. I felt a real shiver ;)

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  14. Brings me right back to my own dad's way of parenting. Not too much like the dads of today. Beautifully written.

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  15. Nicely said. Ben's a lucky kid to have a dad like you!

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  16. This story meant a lot to me, too. I love Dads who can really talk to their kids...and listen, too.

    =)

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  17. Oh, my, Jeff! This is my absolute favorite of your contributions! This story was genuine and from the heart! What a lucky son to have a father who realizes the traits that make a successful father! Amazing!

    I just posted my tardy contribution for this week. Hope you stop by and read!

    Malisa

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  18. I loved that this was so for real! Very touching very well written. Sorry it has been taking me so long to get around to reading...I am barely keeping my head above water these days!

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