answer:My father and I have worked really hard at developing a relationship that works. It’s taken many years, but we have both grown (emotionally) and are able to accept each other. I no longer wish for my father to be someone he isn’t (and isn’t capable of). Rather, I am able to appreciate him for who he is and what he has to offer. And I believe it’s mutual. It took some emotional growth – and I suspect that health problems for both of us did a great job at smacking us in the face and reminding us that we don’t have much more time to figure this out. @ask-publicnutter: “If you were an observer looking into your relationship, what kind of advice would you have given to yourself?” I would have probably said nothing, as it had to evolve naturally. When we were both able to truly forgive and understand what really matters, it just took some effort to get where we are.