Parenting offers blessings
Mike Ellis recently wrote about children who take advantage of their parent’s personal property. The reason we let this criminal behavior continue has to do with the special bond between parents and their children. Mike is right; the expectation of children is of continuously flowing prosperity from parents to child. I am not sure just what children learn from this, but the spiritual benefits learned by parents is seldom appreciated until much later .
Despite the fact that children seldom express a sincere gratitude for all that parents sacrifice, unconditional generosity toward our children has a special, indescribable feeling of correctness. Have not all our lives as parents been in the expression of wishing the very best for someone else? Sure, the kid just made off with your favorite easy chair, but here is someone who gives us the power to love enough to sacrifice our personal comfort for the happiness of another human being.
A wise parent (and a mature one) is glad to give it all away but knows that the blissful union we sought will probably never be the result of parent-to-child bonding. Then, as they drive away, we remember that they are responsible for their own safety, that they are big enough and hopefully smart enough to defend themselves and drive with full awareness of the facts of life.
As they drive out of sight, you wish for them to have the very best that life offers. Does that not include all those helpful suggestions, the preaching about where to find strength and peace?
Even when they begin families of their own we inspire them by letting them know that we trust them and have faith in their ability to overcome the pain of being a parent. We never quit, did we, Mike? By not quitting even when it sometimes becomes painful for the “old man” to go on, who would never abandon their mother, but stand by her side as you both go on into the unknown future together, perhaps we pass a test of loyalty which makes the gods weep?
I doubt there is any loving husband or wife who would not be willing to take on the disease of their partner. See what I mean by spiritual growth?
Maybe fathers do not have the same depth of feeling for their children, but a mother feels everything a human being can possibly feel toward another. Bitter disappointment or glorious pleasure is here in every mother’s heart.
Parenting. Nothing is better than this. Nothing is worse. Where love is a blessing and love is a curse.
I am talking about the tears that flow from parent’s eyes when some tragedy takes a kid from us. But what are these sweet, tender sorrows compared to the harsh, bitter tears of disappointment parents shed over a tragic child, out of whom everything noble, fair and brave has died, leaving only a pathetic, ambitious, cowardly puppet on a string without a heart or conscience? A liar, a fraud, murderous and incapable of understanding how their lack of human feeling has stopped their own spiritual growth, washing their hands of God, not knowing nor caring how they failed their own children.
Yes, the parenting trap is full of glory, baited by hidden disasters. And in spite of our leadership and teachings, they belong to their own decisions. So don’t forget, when you have children, you really have something to pray about.
S. Raymond Pohaski
Uniontown
Way not to raise taxes
Washington County may be $3 million short to cover spending. I wonder why. Our commissioners keep insisting on spending tax dollars to compete with the private sector.
I believe if the county can purchase Western Center land at such a bargain for $2 million then why don’t we purchase it, then sell the land to the highest bidder over the $8 million they are claiming it is worth? That would give us at least $6 million to cover spending. Hopefully, after the department cuts we could give a tax rebate instead of possibly being faced with raising taxes again.
Until we can fill the existing industrial parks in the county, we don’t need any more in my opinion.
Let the private business sector that has the expertise do it with their money and not county tax dollars.
Rebecca L. Simpson
Washington