"I Was Wrong!" A Father's Confession

Is it just ME, or do you, too, recall times when the  hardest words to say - and sometimes to hear - are "I was wrong"?

The following crossed my desk last week; it touched me deeply.

Though written as a letter from a father to his sons,  I believe there is something here for everyone.

    Keith, Evan...

     I'm on a different journey in my life. I'm getting old and I'm on my own for the first  time.  I     

      thought things would be different.

     I may not have a chance to say these things to you.  So, permit me to say them now.

    Wait, don't say a word, sigh, moan or tune out as though you already know what I'm going to      

     say. You think perhaps I've said it all before like some broken record and you don't want to hear it again.

    What could I possibly say that I haven't said before?

    "I was wrong."

     

     I knew that would get your attention.   

     

    When I told you how much I loved you, I was wrong. It turns out I loved you even more.

    When I said, "You can become anything you want." I was wrong. You're becoming even more than      you thought you could.

    When I said, "You didn't hear a word I said!" I was wrong. I've heard you say "I    

    love you!" a million times.

   When I told you "Hold my hand when we cross the street. You'll be safe."

    I was wrong. I really wanted to hold onto you while I could. I knew one day you'd     let go of    me.

   When I said I'm very proud of both my sons, I was wrong. I never imagined how     

    incredibly proud I could be.

   I've heard you say that you want things to be different when you have children and    you don't want an ordinary life.  I said the same thing. I was wrong.

   I did indeed do things differently than my dad, you will, too. But in the end I wanted the      same results. I wanted the very best for my children.  So did he. In spite of all his imperfections,      

    inability to communicate his love properly, stubborn, sometimes arrogant ways, my father did okay.

   My brother is an incredibly successful man and I'm still working on it.

  So, as I venture into this new life let me leave you with one final thought.

  Don't take anything for granted.  Work hard to make love the focus of your life.   Don't assume that everything is okay with your marriage. Ask, listen and change   where you need to make changes.

  You can say the words, "I love you!" but you must also show it.

  You can show her that you love her, but she must also know you mean it.

  You can sing to her, cling to her and think you are everything to her, but don't   

  assume you are, just because she's still there.

  You may turn around one day and find yourself alone.

  Oh, yes.  One really big thing...Don't ever be too proud to say, "I was wrong."  

  I love you,

  Dad

Written by Bob Perks:
Bob Perks is an inspirational author and speaker and a truly remarkable human being.