Fathers

While listening to the radio one evening I heard Ira Glass, the host of "This American Life," say something that just struck a cord with me, made me laugh with realization.

While interviewing a guest of about his childhood life, the guest, an orthodox Jew, said that as a child he recited his prayers with great resentment. The guest hoped there wasn't another "father" in heaven because the overbearing father he had at home was certainly enough for him.

With laughter Glass replied that he never really thought of it that way.

“My image of god is exactly the image of my father--but bigger. Which is, he is usually not around. Sometimes he'll take an interest. He means well. Mostly he is kind of like, ‘You're own your own,’ ” Glass said.

I laughed because this exactly describes my relationship with both "fathers.”

I must say however, however, my real life father has taken more interest my brothers and my life, especially my brothers who now have families of their own. And I would not be where I am now without my fathers help. I love him dearly for that. Still, I can't help and agree with what the host said.

To me, in many ways the father down here seems to be like the father up there.

http://www.futureofthebook.org/mitchellstephens/archives/evolution/
http://www.thislife.org/
http://www.myspace.com/thisamericanlifespace