Daughters, Dads And Listening

Daughters, Dads And Listeningn © Lee Wise All rights reserved

"Thanks, dad. Thanks for listening. I always knew I couldncome to you."

Last month a strange and not entirely unexpected guest madenhis way into my life.

"Sixty" sauntered in, quite confident of his admittance Inmight add, caring little how I felt.

Being sixty can mean...

Briskly heading toward the men's room quicker tha
I mightnchoose,

Staring in disbelief at the "fright night like" creaturensquinting back at me from the torture chamber (my mirror)nwhile remembering the kid wearing a swimsuit who stoppednthe clock soon enough to place second in state,

Wondering if the time ever existed when I didn't need to seen*someone* related to *something* about an obscure (or not sonobscure) part of my physical being,

And being grateful for hearing a set of words similar to thenones you read during the last sixty seconds:

"Thanks, dad. n Thanks for listening. n I always knew I could come to you."

My friend and father of one or more daughters: I beg you.

I beg you...

Please, please read the following statement carefully,nthoughtfully and if so inclined prayerfully:

You may be sad for good advice not received, n but make every effort -- every effort --n not to fail at listening to your daughter.

Tears come in many shapes and sizes, but few carry morenemotional weight than tears of regret.

Strive to lessen your tears of regret and increase thenfuture possibility of expressing tears of joy for the hours,ndays and years of careful listening to the daughter of you
youth.

Listen when she's down -- no matter how long it takes.

Listen when she wants to build a snow tunnel, take a walk,ngo to the zoo, watch her routine for the color guard, paynattention as she plays the flute, and pick her up when she'snscared.

Listen when life treats her well. Share the joys, freakishnhighs, and every level of joyful emotion in between.

Listen to the story of her life in grade three because younwant her to tell you a whole lot more when she's twenty-nthree, thirty-three and forty-three.

Listen when she feels unlovely. Take just enough time tonlet her know in no uncertain terms how lovely she is to you.

Listen when the guy's been a jerk, and don't jerk hernbruised emotional chain while she's down. Care, listen, andncare yet more.

Listen when she needs you to listen more than you need you
emotional space.

Listen when she questions your standards, beliefs, judgmentnand even your love. Listen and pray -- like a drowning mannin turbulent waters -- because of your need to carefullynrespond instead of carelessly react.

Listen when she needs a friend more than a father.

Listen when she says "I'm sorry." Listen and forgive. Be anman of grace as opposed to a man with a large set of rulesnand a small heart.

Listen when an emergency apparatus is needed which shenanticipates using with great regularity. When you hear,
"Dad, can you go to the store for me?" ... just go. Yes,neven when you find yourself trying to discover a box "withnwings."

Listen when she wants you to hold her hand while walkingndown the street. Listen, because life will seem unusuallynshort when she takes your arm to meet another special,nyounger man at the end of a very long aisle. And should shenrequest to include a musical piece with two words in thentitle ("Butterfly" and "Kisses"), prepare by playing thensong advance, dad. Believe me, you'll need the prep time.

Listen when you answer the phone and she asks: "Dad, can Intalk to mom?" Don't hesitate. Get mom. Let her know younrespect her need to "talk girl talk." Get this, dad: angirl's heart comes super sized for life. Her heart cannhandle more than one person in its chambers.

Listen when you hear the sounds of love she expresses to hernown child, when life spits out more pain than shenanticipated at age sixteen, and when she asks for you
prayers.

Listen.
Care.
Love.
And listen some more.

Listen till you hear...

"Thanks, dad. n Thanks for listening. n I always knew I could come to you."

You will not regret it. I promise you.
You will not regret paying the price to hear those words. nn=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=n© Lee Wise All rights reserved. You may freely distributenthis article. The copyright and this resource box must benincluded.

Avoid pain/create pleasure. For A Beautiful Moment In Timengo here --> http://www.motivation-for-daily-living.netn=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=