the hardest thing

   the hardest thing i must do as a parent

   is to allow my children to learn

   i want to shield them from their mistakes and foolishness

   this is selfish on my part

   for i do not want to have to see the cost in their lives

   but they will never learn fly and soar if i do not let them

   on their own

   therefore i must.

   imagine God.

   we are all his children.

   the next time you fall and break your nose against the ground

   you didn’t just hurt yourself