To be the father of growing daughters is to understand something of what Yeats evokes with his imperishable phrase 'terrible beauty.' Nothing can make one so happily exhilarated or so frightened: it's a solid lesson in the limitations of self to realize that your heart is running around inside someone else's body. It also makes me quite astonishingly calm at the thought of death: I know whom I would die to protect and I also understand that nobody but a lugubrious serf can possibly wish for a father who never goes away.

Summary

This quote describes thecomplex emotions experienced by a father raising daughters. The phrase "terrible beauty," borrowed from Yeats, captures the mixed feelings of exhilaration and fear that come with being a father to growing girls. It highlights the realization that one's own heart and well-being are tied to the lives of their daughters. Despite the fear, this understanding brings a sense of calm, as the father knows who he would sacrifice everything to protect. Ultimately, it emphasizes the significance of the father's presence and the invaluable role he plays in his daughters' lives.

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