The author offers advice to their father, reminding him that without his guidance and support through challenges, they would not have been able to grow and learn from mistakes. The father's role gives his life purpose and meaning as he cares for his children, but he is urged to make time for himself as well while his children are young so as to not have regrets later. The author asks their father to pause what he's doing now and listen to what his child has learned.

1. Advice to my Father
by John Brennan
Dear ‘ole Dad
I am glad to see I have the chance
to offer you this advice
for without your guiding hand these years
I would not have been able to live twice
You pulled me through some tough scrapes
of knee and judgment too
without your advice and trust sometimes
I might not have seen some things through
So come on in from the garage
pause the game
put down the remote
and listen to what this child has learned
You see fathers owe their children
without a child, a man goes on being a carefree bachelor
untested, untried, and unsure
but the moment your child comes into the world
your purpose becomes secured
You see, Dad, with children,
a man’s work takes on meaning
he has other people to worry about
his cares expand to include theirs
Too late children see the time their father takes
they run around through life
without the fears or limitations
he has tried to fend off
Then children leave, fathers try to recall their lives before
guilty now about the time they take for themselves
to pursue old dreams and wishes, put on hold long ago
when they first heard the baby’s cry
Dad,
always take the time
as long as Mom agrees