Parenting has never been a...
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Parenting has never been a perfect art. It's been said, considering the preparation they have for it, most parents do far better than they should be expected to. Is it any wonder parent-child relationships generate the cynicism they do on the part of writers and philosophers? Consider these two observations: "The parent who could see his boy as he really is would shake his head and say, 'Willie is no good. I'll sell him.' " (Stephen Leacock in The Lot of the Schoolmaster). "Children begin by loving their parents. After a time they judge them. Rarely, if ever, do they forgive them." (Oscar Wilde in A Woman of No Importance). There's blame enough in both directions. In spite of the imperfect state of parenting, however, it's a relationship judged worthy by our heavenly Father (who, significantly, consents to be named with a parent's title). Maybe what wise Sirach really calls us all to do is not to look for the ideal in those who are immediately related to us, but rather to see the promise and the blessing in spite of everything. After all, where would we be, really, without our parents? Let us thank God for them -- in spite of them -- and in spite of ourselves.
