It was a regular activity for me to do errands for my mother as a boy growing up but the ones that are still etched in my memory are the ones involving my grandfather.
He was a great Patriarch in that he raised seven children who later became successful in acquiring lands, doing businesses, pastor churches, and raising children who became professionals in several disciplines.
The economic activity of this great Patriarch entails operating several farms, and butchering. The weekly revenue came from butchering activities while the farms generate seasonal returns for him to support his family.
One of the lasting impressions I had of him was the home bank that he operated under the safety of his bed. He and his wife were the only legally authorized Tellers who could access the funds because they location of the keys was a well kept secret. Whenever my mother sent me to borrow money or repay him, he would make a trip to his bank and return.
This patriarch was semi-literate but practiced strict financial control over his money and was able to grow all his children successfully.
He did not have the best temper generally, but I had to admire him for the principles he stood for in surviving in a very poverty stricken environment.
It shows that it does not matter where people comes from, success can be achieved with the diligent application of tried and proven principles.
Growing your children in love and discipline can go a long way in securing a great future for them.
There were no times that the police had to come to my grandfather's house to solve any problem, because of how he conducted his paternal business.
When his children were finished with their formal education, he provided the funds for them to pursue the skill or career they chose. As a result only one of his children did not achieve great success and it was not his doing that this happened.
In terms of his financial control, he was an astute business man. I remember repaying a loan and borrowing some money at he same time. To my amazement my grandfather told me to give him the money and after I gave him, he gave be back and said that I can go now because I had repaid the last loan.
The principle here is that you cannot take out a new loan until you have repaid the total from the last one, a principle many business are utilizing with great success today.
The fact that he also did not rely totally on outside companies to employ him but operated two types of business to maintain his cash flow, showed that many of our fathers can be successful in a similar activities if they will be patient and practice good business principles.
The same way this family developed to the point where there are now doctors, engineers, computer experts, nurses, management executives, entrepreneurs, and teachers in it, other patriarchs can rise up and create a path for the future success of their generations.
This could be classified as patriarchal sustainability. It is not only the environment that needs to be sustainable but families need to do the same and the time to re-focus in this area is now.
We are facing extinction in this area because the prospective patriarchs are going to prisons in larger numbers than before, thereby depriving the children of a solid foundation to go forward in life.
It is time our fathers realized that the major beneficiaries of what they do now is not them but their children and their children.
Many mothers and fathers in my lifetime never had the opportunity to even attend a high school, except when their children are graduating, but became part a great patriarchal entity that has provided society with many gifts, calling and talents.
Patriarchal practices are still relevant today especially when members of my present family can turn to the living elders for assistance and guidance for future endeavors.
One of the biggest mistakes many of our young people are making is to separate themselves from the main family structure and go it alone.
They are cutting themselves off from experience, emotional, financial, and inspirational support.
A young tree needs all the nutrients it can get from the ground in order to bear fruit on its own in the future.
I am grateful for the patriarchal legacy that was establish in my formative years as this has enable me to build an even better one for my future generations.
This is also possible for those who will draw some wisdom and move into this direction as soon as possible.
