Initiation by the Faaattthhher!

Another thought came upon me while I was reading, Wild At Heart. Initiation has been something Bing Daddy has done for us children for many years. As I read this book, I was reminded of the times Dad would say, "You have been initiated into the family" Times like, camping in the Boundary Waters at the end of May. Where we struggled to canoe across a big lake or lakes to the perfect destination spot; where we could set up camp in the freezing cold and jump off a cliff into the water. We struggled because we had to canoe against the wind both there and back. There was nothing like a Mt. Dew or Coke after a long struggle in the wind. I believe that was how Philly was initiated. It made me proud to read in this book how important it was for boys to be initiated by their fathers. It gives them a sense of manhood, belonging and approval from their role model. It made me proud that we, as children, didn't have to ask our dad for initiation and or approval. He just gave it to us. Not just once, but time and time again. This also explains why the students that I try to teach from time to time will act out, desperate for attention. They haven't been approved or given the official initiation by their fathers. They strive to find their place in this world and long to be okayed by their dad and the majority of them never will because they have never met their biological father or have been beaten up by them. I have seen in my experience that if I use the students' name and ask them how their day was they seem to feel more at home and start to open up. I may just start having initiation ceremonies during my semesters for these students to have a place in this world where they have been initiated into something...even if it is "just home ec." So here's to a Dad that did a lot of things right. Happy belated FAAATTTHHHEERRRs Day, Dad you deserve a cheer!