āØ A Video Call, Some Shoes, and the Quiet Ways Parents Say āI Love Youā
I got a call from my dad today, a video call, actually. He was showing me different shoes so I could choose which ones I wanted him to buy. I was pleasantly surprised and happy, because just yesterday we had a physical conversation where I literally bawled my eyes out and opened up to him about my struggles. I told him how Iām trying so hard to be better in my life, but the more I try, the more it feels like things are weighing me down and pulling me back. I told him I donāt feel like Iām where Iām supposed to be. He just sat there quietly, listening to me.
And then today, I get that video call telling me to pick shoes. Maybe he wanted to make me feel better. Maybe he thought that would help, and honestly, I really appreciate it. 4 replies
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It makes me think. My relationship with my dad has always been rocky, do I say since time immemorial? Basically since I was younger, having divorced parents, dealing with that childhood anger at him for leaving my mom or breaking off the marriage, and some of his parenting choices I didnāt and still donāt like.
But with him, Iāve learned forgiveness without the person asking for it. Iāve learned to forgive my dad without him even knowing he made me angry or without him ever asking for my forgiveness. Iām living life one step at a time. Iām enjoying every moment I have with him. Iām giving second chances because, at the end of the day, heās human. Heās my father, but itās always his first time being my father. It was his first time parenting me at 0, at 10, at 20, and now itās his first time fathering a 22-year-old. 0 reply
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