what's a girl to believe

if you think about, it's a miracle that anyone can make it through a lifetime with even a hint of sanity left inside. 'cause if you think about it, as i often do, the amount of advice and guidance unloaded on vulnerable minds, like my daughter's, is probably more than most can bear. and so, i am left to wonder, how can anyone sort through all of that information and come to a sensible conclusion as to who to believe and who to dismiss?

in my daughter's case, i know that i have probably spent the better part of the last four years, from the time she could speak, providing her with some of the hard lessons that life has taught me. sometimes i am blunt, sometimes i am guarded in my delivery. the problem, of course, is that her mother has also spent the last four years doing the same, as have her grandparents, her teachers, her friends, and many others. and so, once again, i am left to wonder, how can anyone sort through all of that information and come to a sensible conclusion as to who to believe and who to dismiss?

in the end, i suppose it will be my daughter's decision as to the direction she takes over the course of her lifetime. but i still struggle with the approach i have taken thus far in terms of her upbringing. sometimes i wish i could jump ahead fifteen years into her future and view the fruits of my labour. then i could take what i have learned, crawl back into my time machine, and mend my ways for the benefit of her development. but even then, i would still represent only one solitary voice in the overall promotion of her character. and so, once again, i am left to wonder, how can anyone sort through all of that information and come to a sensible conclusion as to who to believe and who to dismiss? i know i can't.

"hey, i did my best, kid." - anonymous

ladies and gentlemen, pearl jam