MORNINGS AT BLACKWATER

for years, every morning, i drank
from blackwater pond
it was flavored with oak leaves and also, no doubt,
the feet of ducks.

and always it assuaged me
from the dry bowl of the very far past.

what i want to say is

that the past is the past,
and the present is what your life is,
and you are capable
of choosing what that will be,
darling citizen.

so come to the pond,
or the river of your longing,

and put your lips to the world.
and live
your life.

by Mary Oliver

to the court system- spesifically custody

I understand that you all feel over worked and under paid. I am aware that there are a lot of cases, too many. THAT IS NO EXCUSE!!!!!!!!!! Most people justifiably have similar complaints yet they manage to do their jobs the right way. I think that it is BS that the courts tend to favor the mom as default. In my experience, unless there is a mountain of evidence that the mom is unfit and the father deserves every award under the sun custody tends to go to the mom. WELL WAKE UP WOULD YOU!!!!!!!! There are really great fathers out there that want only the best for their children, fathers that spend thousands of dollars and hours fighting for what is rightfully theirs only to have it taken from them without considering the best thing for the child. There are a lot of cases when the father is better for the child but custody goes to the mom anyway because that is easier than taking the time to do what really is in the best interest of the child. WAKE THE F*** UP AMERICA!!!!!!!!!!!! Our country is going to SH*T because we don't take the time to make sure that our actions are in the best interest of all involved. SLOW DOWN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!