Who am I?

I'm not your friend or your lover; either those that drift into or out of your life, or those who stick around because they like you.

I'm not your buddy, I'm not your pal. I won't overlook your social indiscretions without a word.

I'm not your brother, as we are not equals.

I am not your mother, I did not give birth to you.

I'm not your employer. You will not get an honest day's pay for an honest day's work.

I am not your priest - confessions here come with no guaranteed absolution. Roll the dice.

I'm not your teacher, though it is my job to ensure you learn the things they can't teach you.

Neither am I your coach - his role is narrowly defined. I'm not your music instructor or your drama instructor - they teach you what to do; I make readily available to you the tools to learn how to enjoy them.

I am not your drill instructor, though I will prepare you for him.

I am not your manservent; butlers are deprecated.

Who am I?

I am your father. Our relationship is unlike anything else you will ever have, yet inclusive of the above list as well, because my only job is your happiness and success. There are no guarantees in life, and life isn't fair. At various points you will be exhilarated beyond your imagination and also emotionally wounded, filled with joy and at times filled with pain. You will experience love, and you will feel the sting of hate. There are times you will know pride and rightfully so - other times you will think you've hit bottom. All of these things, however, you will learn from. People will pass through your life at a dizzying rate; Some for better, some for worse, but there is one thing you will always be able to count on, forever:

I will never leave you.