Remember when we would walk to the stop sign and back?
When I didn’t feel like it you would say, “Ashley will be outside,”
and I would go with you in a heartbeat.
You knew I had a crush on the neighbor’s daughter.
Remember when we would walk to the basketball court and back?
When I struggled with my free throws you would say, “Shoot 10 more,”
and I would try to make all 10 for you.
You helped me for hours even though you were tired from working double shifts.
Remember when we walked to get ice and back?
When I argued with the lady who insulted us you said,
“Let it go and pray.”
You tempered me and softened my heart.
Remember when we walked to the exit door and back?
When I walked off the plane I imagined your courage
as you saved my life.
You were willing to lay down your life.
Somewhere in between the stop sign and basketball court,
we walked to the bus stop and back.
Remember that?
You knew something was wrong.
I walked ahead, I walked to the side, and you sensed it.
You asked me, “Are you embarrassed by your father?”
Silence was my cowardly response, and my heart sank as I watched yours break.
The look in your eyes. You were crushed.
You heroically saved my life,
endured sleepless graveyard shifts,
laying down your life for mom and the boys.
And I didn’t want to walk to the bus stop with you. It wouldn’t be cool.
The other kids would tease me. Didn’t you understand?
They got to walk on their own.
You showed me even heroes can have broken hearts.
And I was the villain who broke yours.
Since that moment you have walked with me anyway.
Sorry, Dad. I was the one who didn’t understand.
I will walk with you to the stop sign, to the basketball court, to get ice,
and to the heroic spot at the exit door.
I will walk with you to the bus stop and back.
I want the kids to know I walk with my hero.
—
Happy Father’s Day, Dad. You are a true father to us and husband to mom. A true man.
If not for the ones who raised me, I would not know God. -Lebanese Proverb
