Going straight forward...antlers 5th thread.

[antlers]

School starts in a few days for the younger kiddos. My 11 y/o son and my 12 y/o daughter and I have been getting along really good over the summer...they are a true blessing to me. Even my youngest daughter is being more loving towards me these days. I am a better father now than I've ever been in my entire life. I can tell that they are respecting me more and more as time passes...and I've remained consistent. They both really enjoy it when it's their time to come over to the house and stay with me. Oldest daughter is sort of stand-offish with me right now...it's a rollar-coaster with her too! She was around and saw the anger, resentment, and abuse that I dished out to her mom...and my oldest daughter was on the receiving end of this behavior too! She tells me that she's not ready to be "buddy-buddy" right now, and she says she's working on it...and asks that I just give it a little more time. I told her that I understood, and for her to take all the time and space that she needed...that I was patient. She told me 'thank you' and said that she loved me and would stay in touch. I'm riding a lot these days. It's so good for me in so many ways! I really enjoy having my kids over at the house...it's so much more comfortable, for all of us, than it was early on. I'm in great physical shape, pretty good spiritual shape, and if I get in equal shape mentally...I'm gonna be out of control!

I'm sorry that all of us here are dealing, or have had to deal, with the heartbreaking stuff that we have. And I'm sorry that many of us here, especially me, have made the mistakes that we have. I hope that good things are in store for all of us, and that we continue to grow stronger and better...and be the kind of people that we yearn to be.

Best wishes always,

antlers