Day 195:
I'm not a church going man, Conor. Never saw a whole lot of use in it. Certainly I understand the principal, the reason, and the purpose, but I believe in faith above all, Son. My faith. My faith in that there is a higher power. That our fates are preordained and that, if you believe in something greater than yourself, you've already won.
Of course every religion and every faction of every religion would have you believe their way is the "right" way. And when you attend a place of worship, this is what you subscribe to. The way it's done in that place. And I would never suggest it's wrong to do so, Conor. For many, a house of worship is a place where guidance is met with hope and love, and I would certainly never begrudge anybody those. Though for me, I believe the power of prayer radiates from your heart and through you mind. I simply believe that a prayer for your fellow man is as much for you as it is for them. It's an opportunity to search for something greater, to find whatever that may be, and to give it to someone more in need... And should you (or I) be the one in need, it never hurts to say a prayer for yourself! Though I find more power in praying for others... And when I pray, I do it whenever the thought occurs. I personally do not feel the need to structure it.
With all that in mind, I pray, Boy'O. A lot. I pray for my friends and family experiencing physical strife. I pray for my friends and family experiencing difficult decisions and heartache. I pray they all find their pain short lived and free of burden. I pray for these things because it's what's in my heart.
Several years ago I read something that struck me so hard I had it scribed as a tattoo on my right arm, albeit in Gaelic.
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"All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and in rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act toward one another in the spirit of brotherhood. "
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Those two sentences actually make up the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. And I believe, if every person on Earth heeded those, there'd be no strife at all. But the reality is, that'll never be the case for Mankind. And so the World turns...
The point in any of this is, Conor, when you fall on troubled times prayer is a great place to start. More over, when you realize how strong you are, both in mind and in body, you'll realize that it's your prayers that lift up those in need... And in so doing, you lift yourself up, Son. It's truly the greatest act of selflessness. At least as far as I'm concerned.
It's the man I strive to be and it's the man I feel you'll be. A leader. A pillar of strength. A guiding light. A man strong in body, fierce in spirit, and tender in heart. It's all any of us should hope to be.
Tonight Conor, we're praying for our loved ones. Tonight we're praying for your Great Aunt Maggie - arguably your biggest fan, though she's got some serious competition from both her Sister (your Grandmother) and my Mom (your MomMom)... Tonight Son, we're praying for Ziggy and his family. Tonight Lion Heart, we're praying for those we love who are in need of our prayers. Because that's what we have to give, Son. And they're the greatest gift...
A bit deeper of a piece tonight, Son. Though when there are people in need of love and support, a little philosophy never hurts.
I love you, Conor. And I pray for you every night. You can count on it.
-Dad
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