THE JOY TO BE A FATHER

As many of you know, I spent many years of my life working on the cruise lines, this job always kept me far away from my loves ones, especially from my daughter, the most important person in my life.

I took my time to go to see her to Bradenton, Florida, place where she live nowadays, it was the most enjoyable time I ever spent in my life, the reward of this visit is priceless, and I learned so many things from this trip.

First able the encounter was great, I went to Bradenton on a shuttle bus, it drops me off by a very popular drugstore in USA, I call her mom to pick me up from there, after a few minutes, I saw a white car coming, and guess what, I saw a hand waving, like saying hello to me, and then a beautiful smile appeared, yes the most beautiful smile I have ever seen, that was my daughter; before her mom can park she opened the car door , her mom shouted, due to  her reckless action, but seemed that she did not care about it, in fact I did not  neither;  just I was waiting for a loving hug and the sweetest kiss ever,  served with a tuneful ! I MISSED YOU DAD!, the scene was immensely moving, so much so a car kindly stopped  in front of us, apparently  touched for the proof of truly love we were showing.

Probably for you it lasted 10 seconds, but let me tell you dear readers that for me seemed like the time stopped and extended it for many minutes and were just her and me, nothing else, both of us trapped each other in our arms, shedding tears, but of happiness.

Another thing that I learned, was that it does not matter if we are far away from our love ones most of the time, which really matters is the quality time you provide them, that our dedication and full attention was being given to them on that moment, so that will stay forever on their minds and in their hearts. Always in my life I was thinking that my time provided to her was never enough, due to my job on the cruise ships, but those 5 days I shared with her, she showed me that I was wrong, she remembered every teaching I gave to her, every moment we spent together, every smile we shared, every special time I was with her, no matter how long it was because she knew it was with love.

I still remember what she told me in the farewell time” thanks dad to come to visit me for so many days” and then I understood, it was not 5 short days whit her as I was thinking, it was 5 long days of love and care.

Thanks God to give me the joy to be a father….!

See you next time.

Jorge Horna