A few years ago, I had the privilege of speaking at a local industry to a group of employees about safety.

My topic was the danger of alcohol and drugs on the job and also how it destroys families.

As I was leaving, a young father of three, who admitted to having abused alcohol in the past and neglecting his wife and children, handed me the following poem that every father should read and ask, “Am I molding my sons to be good fathers?”

WALK A LITTLE PLAINER DADDY

Walk a little plainer daddy

Said a little boy so frail

I’m following in your footsteps

And I don’t want to fail

Sometimes your steps are very plain

Sometimes they are hard to see

So walk a little plainer daddy

For you are leading me.

I know that once you walked this way

Many years ago

And what you did along the way

I’d really like to know

For sometimes when I am tempted

I don’t know what to do

So walk a little plainer daddy

For I must follow you.

Someday when I’m grown up

You are like I want to be

Then I will have a little boy

Who will want to follow me

And I would want to lead him right

And help him to be true

So walk a little plainer daddy

For we must follow you.

— Author Unknown

Keep in mind that your children will follow your example — good or bad.

If you have any questions, or comments, please write to Get High on Life, P.O. Drawer U, Reserve, LA 70084, call 985-652-8477 or e-mail hkeller@comcast.net.