THE most important title I hold is that of being a father. The Lord knows I hold many titles, but fatherhood is special; it is a role in transition; it’s a role and a responsibility that comes from deep within my heart and soul. As a father, I focus on few essentials to pass on to my own sons, Gerry and Kevin.
Life’s truths and what counts (honour, friendship, trust, respect, wonder, play, reasonableness, kindness, faith, courage, effort, integrity, gratitude, politeness and generosity) and what does not count.
I did not teach my kids how to count; I taught them what counts the most.
I read to them this quote by Albert Einstein: “Everything that can be counted does not necessarily count; everything that counts cannot necessarily be counted.”
I also told them, “What you know and don’t know counts; it’s not only what you know, but what you honestly admit you don’t know that counts the most.”
This quote, I told them, applies to them personally, and their own knowledge; I also said that it should apply to them personally. Those essentials were few, but I hoped that it would guide and make my sons the men they are today, both for themselves and their kids.

And more particularly is the issue of TIME. TIME is about the quality spent with them, not the quantity. I ensured I was there for their graduation, their birthdays, and all the experiences I can never regain.

As a father, I have a humbling sense of responsibility to be more aware of the legacy I am leaving my sons, and the generations that will follow them.  I believe they must live their own dreams, not mine. I look at my children and am proud of who they are today.

In order to fulfill what I believe is important for all men as we commit to becoming authentic men and fathers, I believe that one must become a man of action, a man of honour in the eyes of our sons. Those eyes that are watching constantly, observing many other things of how we react to the many injustices in the world.

Do we do something, anything, to make a difference in the world?  I believe that we are abdicating our roles as leaders in our homes and our country in large numbers. This is creating a crisis that is dissolving the very fabric of society, destroying our country and possibly even the world.  
As men, we are created to be passionate, fierce and noble. As a father, I believe that my relationship with my sons will not only impact their lives, but thousands of people in their lives.