by C.A. Whitworth,
Editor
June, the month of light (Nur in Arabic), is unique in many ways while shedding new light on many aspects of our lives.
To the graduates of innumerable stages and fazes of life, June sheds new light on different freedoms and challenges with each preparing us for a different light–whether brighter or darker depending upon how we handle each. For workers in many professions it sheds a light of relief from everyday grind with the anticipation of vacation breaks of whatever duration. Many corporations and organizations likewise break for summer vacations in June that ironically contains longer hours of daylight than any other month.
Unique also, in June falls the annual observance of Father’s Day, when the spotlight falls on the family member on whom most depend in many ways yet often feels least appreciated and shown less love and affection. As children are more frequently associated from birth with mothers, the critical association and attitude toward fathers rests heavily upon the mother’s handling of attitudes and actions toward the fathers whose efforts, contributions and achievements (or lack of) must be considered from different perspectives. The attention that was once his alone has been inevitably greatly diminished by the attention commanded by infants and children. Subsequently, the light (or lack of it) that mothers shine on fathers is most critical, affecting the child’s male/female relationships throughout life.
“Children are the most precious treasure a community can possess,” we read in the Baha’i Holy Writings. “They bear the seeds of the character of future society which is largely shaped by what adults constituting the community do (or fail to do) with respect to children. They are a trust no community (or governing body) can neglect with impunity. An all-embracing love of children, the manner of treating them, the quality of the attention shown them, the spirit of adult behavior toward them; these are among the vital aspects of the requisite attitude.
Again Roanoke stands supreme in the incomparable continuous indiscriminate involvement of its local NAACP Chapter, spearheaded by President Brenda Hale who consistently successfully involve Roanoke’s youth (across all discriminatory barriers) in local, state and national competitions.
Love demands discipline, the courage to “accustom children to hardship,” as advised in the Baha’i Holy Writings–as opposed to, “I don’t want them to go through what I had to go through.” This changing world could eventually put them through much worse. An atmosphere needs to be maintained in which children feel that they belong to a community and share in its purpose. They must lovingly but insistently be guided to live up to higher standards, to study and teach (by word and example) in ways suited to their particular circumstances and opportunities and, above all, demonstrate dignity, a virtue that will shine like a beacon in the ever increasing darkness of modern society’s loosening morals and indiscretions.
May this Father’s Day shed new light on the strategic role of fatherhood in creating a healthy balance in parenting. True love and mutual respect are best taught through experience and lasting models, becoming harder to find.
In light of this knowledge may we vow this Father’s Day to assist parents in general and fathers in particular in being a light, not a judge; a model, not a critic. In so doing we choose to feed opportunity and starve problems; to keep promises, not make excuses and to focus on our immediate circle of influence rather than on the larger circle of concern. This must surely lead to a HAPPY FATHERS DAY all year through!
