Older and softer

Growing up an immigrant in the US had many challenges. When your parents culture doesn't permit displays of affection, it can give you the impression your parents don't love you. There were moment in my youth when these cultural differences caused a lot of confusion and pain.

With time, I grew to understand my father through the gift of my son. The first time I remember hearing my father say I love you was when my son was born. Having a son taught me many things.

Gifts from My Son

I remember you looked up

your hands were small

your smile reached deep

into the soul of my father

 

It uncovered memories

long forgotten moments

when I was a new born

eager to embrace his hand

 

When I held you for the first time

I became my father

when you cried at night

I walked around the house

 

It felt like endless hours

round and round again

Saw glimpses of my father

windows of my reflection

there is a line in your palm

that runs through my heart

it continues to my fathers

and through his father

although your lines are different

and my lines are different

the gift ties us together

from the past to the future

you didn't know a smile

would be the gift to unlock

the things I longed to hear

just a few small words

I love you