My father was a tad bit harsh from time to time (that was him above). He got the short end of the stick by being born with a congenital heart defect that curtailed his life expectancy (estimated to be in his twenties, though he lived into his late forties). In raising me in my early years, I guess he felt it necessary to convey how unfair life can be, but he took it too far in my opinion. Yes, I can understand how he took his health situation to mean that ultimately life isn't fair, but I'm trying to take a different perspective on life. Helping me is my step-father who is a great guy. Like most of us, he has his share of health issues, but is a truly kind and just person. In many ways, he represents the "kind-king" persona familiar with his people of heritage, the Swedes. Since my parents divorce as a child, he has been a very fair and equitable steward of our family, a very welcome change from the doom and gloom harshness of my early years. I find these days I'm constantly trying to keep things fair for the people in my life, relatives, friends, acquaintances. For the most part, this is likely an exercise in futility, but I look at it as good practice for when my wife and I have a family of our own. Like my sister says, your family is the first version of society that you experience, and in my humble opinion it would be great if more of those experiences were fair. If life ultimately isn't fair, does it really matter when we learn it?