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Are you currently on the "Outs" with your Dad? Did you move away just to get away from your parents? Father's Day could be a stressful time if either of these scenarios exists between you and your parents. Perhaps this Father's Day would the perfect time to reconcile your differences with just a few simple words that would enable the healing process to begin.

"I'm sorry for not showing the love I feel for you lately", or "Forgive me for being so distant", could open a door to forgiveness and healing between you and your Father or Mother. Breaking down barriers of the soul is the only way to begin the healing process by letting the anger go and soothing old wounds.

Of course, "I Love You", is always thoughtful, because these are the most treasured three words in the English language that can melt the soul and tare down strong holds. As humans, we tend to harbor resentment, even toward our parents. Mother's and Father's Day can escalate those feelings. But, to what end does this resentment bring? If you've lost a parent, you know that after they've gone, the opportunities for reconciliation are over, so if you want to be able to lay them to rest with an open heart, you must open your heart now.

"I haven't told you lately, but you are a great Dad", is always thoughtful and then you can tell him why. "Because you made sacrifices to raise me that I didn't realize until now", or "Now that I have children of my own, I understand the sacrifices you made for me". Remembering that our parents are human and have feelings of inadequacy or insecurities about the way they raised us or things that happened that perhaps were out of their control while we were growing up, is one way to begin the search for truth about why our relationship with our parents might not be as open and loving as it should or could be.

This Father's Day could be the beginning of a whole new life for you and your parents, if you choose to examine your own insecurities as a parent and come to realize that maybe you are not so different after all. Becoming a parent is the greatest gift and the greatest responsibility you will ever encounter in life. It teaches us humility, long suffering, perseverance and patience, but also carries the greatest rewards when we hear our children say; "Now I know what you were talking about when you said someday you will understand".

Before my Father died of cancer many years ago, I approached him and told him, "I forgive you Dad", because we had so many years of turmoil in our Father-Daughter relationship that were wasted. I also asked his forgiveness. We hugged and held each other as a parent and child should. We became such good friends after that. I wished I had done it sooner.

Learn more about this author, C. L. Craven.
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