Of all the rocks upon witch we build our lives, we are reminded today that
family is the most imortant. And we are called to recognize and honor how
critical every father is to that foundation. They are teachers and coaches. They
are mentors role models. They are examples of success and the men who constantly
push us towared it.
I say this knowing that I have been an imperfect father—knowing that I have
made mistakes and will contiue to make more;wishing that I could be home for
my girls and my wife more than I am right now . I say this knowing all of these
things because even as we are imperfect ,even as we face diffcult circumstance
,there are still certain lessons we must strive to live and learn as fathers
—whether we are black or white , poor or rich.
The first is setting an example of excellence for our children —because if we
want to set high expectations for them , we've got to set hight expectations for
ourselfs. It's great if you have a job; It's even better if you have a college
degree; It's a wonderful thing if you are married and living in a home with your
children ,but don't just sit in the house and watch "sports center" all weekend
long ; That's why so many children are growing up in front of television. As
fathers and parents , we've got to spend more time with them, and help them with
their homework , and replace video game or remote control with a book in a
while. That's how we build that foundation.
The second thing we need to do as fathers is pass along the value of empathy to
our children. Not sympathy , but empathy — the ability to stand in somebody
else's shoes; To look at the world through their eyes. Sometimes it's so easy to
get caught up in "us", that we forget about our obligations to one another
And the final lesson we must learn as father is also the greatest gift we can
pass on to our children ---- and that is the gift of hope
I am not talking about an idle hope that's little more than blind optimism or
willful ignorance of the problems we face . I'm talking about hope as the spirit
inside us that insists, despite all evidence to the contray, that something
better is waiting for us if we're willing to work for it and fight for it . If
we are willing to believe.