You will make many mistakes. Some of them inexplicable even though you are a grown man with a career, car payments, a mortgage or three, and husband and daddy duties. You’ll say mean things to your kids. Kick the cat out of the way. Raise your voice to your wife. You’ll wake up drunk in places you don’t belong. And maybe even have a run-in with the law. Or God.

You’ll be a shit at least once or a dozen times in your life and you will know how awful you are when you see tears from those that you love. And no matter how right you believe you are, you’re wrong.

You’ll see this most clearly just before bed when you thumb wrestle your 10-year old son and let him win. Again. He is all smiles and feeling strong, which is exactly what he’ll need as he moves along and learns that a man should strive in his life to make people happy. To help. Sacrifice. And save. No matter what.

But it’s harder than it seems. Much, much harder. And trying to be a good man is one of the loneliest things you’ll ever do because nobody can ever really teach you.

To admit when you’re wrong.

Set aside your pride.

And apologize.

These are the great lessons we learn when we stick to our commitments. Embrace forgiveness. And honor our vows.

~ K.J.