I figured it out

I figured it out

I kick the dirt on the road as I walk home from school with my sister. The fine red dust settles on my black school shoe like it’s been sprayed on in a fine mist.

I peel off my school clothes.The cool water in the pool tingles my skin. My sister and I laugh and squeal out in the shock of the water. I get out of the pool and attend to my chores around the property, watering long patches of vegetable gardens, four of them. Then watering the saplings up the driveway, struggling to stay alive in the heat of their new home.

The sun is setting and I start my homework. My mother arrives home from a long day at work and she sets about cooking dinner. My father is absent from my mind and from my sight. I don’t long to see him. I have my mother who brings me joy and talks to me about my day.

My day, however, is empty and somewhat sad now that, at 34, I look back. There is some vital ingredient missing from my days as a young man. Something that would feed me to grow strong and provide direction. Like the tree-lings, I have nurtured them to grow and as my two sons run underneath their tall shadows, I know what I did had a meaning, it had direction.

I want to ask my dad about his childhood. What was his father like to him? Did his parents show him love? What defined him as to who he is now? How did his mind grow up to ignore the sun under his very eyes?

I wonder why I don’t understand my father. I just want to know these things to keep my own sons safe from this dis-ease of heart and mind. Perhaps in his answers is the secret to my mind’s mystery.

The opposite is not the answer. I need to find the cause to help me figure it out.

All I needed was someone to show me.

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One response to “I figured it out”

  1. yes i understand where you come from, when i was young i hated my dad, and question my mum why she put up with his issues. I came out when i was 17yrs old and was loved by both parents, i asked my dads family questions about my dad, i was told to be careful because the truth might hurt me, yes i found the good, bad,and the sad, all to do with my dad, i was ready to face what ever came my way and kept a open mind, i found out my dad was the black sheep, his father was abusive to him and he knew no other way. I forgave my dad and can honestly say i love you dad,the truth is out there,you have to find someone in the family that is willing to give information.it took me about 2yrs and the ending results was positive, i had the choice to carry on the hate or do something about it.i was lucky my family were willing to give information.i hope this helps,trying to put this in a few words is hard knowning i can write a few pages on this issue, i do not go to church but i believe god loves me for me, goodluck and god bless