The Earth has gone around the Sun its prescribed number of times and we are back to this holiday where we celebrate the contributions that fathers and/or father figures make in their children’s lives. Eleven of these holidays have passed for my beautiful son without the presence of a father in his life. It is difficult for him to recall the contributions his father made in his life, and for this I am sorry. For this and a thousand other reasons I am sorry to my child that his father died when he was 12 years old.

What I wish to say to my son is that I am proud of the man he is on the way to becoming. Son, you have risen above the pain and sorrow of a tragic loss in your life. You came into your own manhood without the guidance of a father, and while you had some role models, it was you who decided the path you would walk as a man, and I am humbled to see the one you have elected to take. You are smart, compassionate, giving, and you have opened your heart to take a chance on love. I know this has not been easy for you. I have witnessed your fear contemplating the potential prospect of yet another great loss. And yet you boldly took the step to share your heart with another. This makes my mother’s heart full.

My wish for you on this day is that you remember the good things that were a part of your father, and that you take those pieces of him and incorporate them even more into the fiber of your being. In the United States we will celebrate the day to honor fathers on Sunday, June 21 while you will be experiencing the culture and spirit of the landscape of Siem Reap. May it touch something in your soul, spark a memory of the good your father gave to you and may you carry that forth into the world, all with an open and compassionate heart. I am so proud of you my dear son, for you carry none of the hatred that is so prevalent in the world today. You are pure love.

The winds of grace blow all the time. All we need to do is set our sails.

~Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa
Gospel of Ramakrishna