Simple kind of man

I remember always telling Emily (my daughter) to never say the word stupid when she was like 3 and 4... One day we were in the living room and we were watching tv and I looked at the tv and I said "well thats stupid" and she looked look at me with grace in her eyes and said "daddy we're not supposed to say that word" After I apologized to her I thought to myself that whatever limits I put on her for whatever reason I was also putting them on myself... In making her a better person I was making myself a better person also.. You know I didn't grow up with a father in my life and I wish even now that I could look back onto a memory in my childhood where my father sat me down and said to me "son in this life never hurt the people you love, never cheat, never steal, share hope, don't be afraid of love, own your mistakes and never be ashamed of who you are, learn to forgive, make friends, be bold, music is life water, pain heals, trust is like an empty watchtower, know yourself, stick to your word, believe the good in people, grow wings and fly, it's ok to cry, find peace, speak your mind, follow your heart, live life like there is a tomorrow, gold is fake but the warmth of a heartbeat when your scared is priceless, never forget anyone you've ever loved, try new things, be someone's strength, find Christ, learn all you can, regrets are only because you were dishonest, and never make friends with fear. I love you son" and I would look to the sky and say I love you too dad, and any pain I felt at that moment wouldn't go away but I wouldn't be ashamed of it because my father told me it was ok to feel pain. I could forgive you because my father gave me the strength to. I could find peace because my farther gave me permission to. I could..... I guess it doesn't so much matter what I could do, when what I can do is here now, because one day when I sit Emily down and say "honey, in this life never hurt the people you love, never cheat, never steal etc..." I'll not only be making her a better person but I'll be making myself a better person too....