The Day My Dad Became Human

I remember it like it was yesterday. He was under the sheets, propped up against the pillows and tears were flowing from his eyes. I’d never seen this before and was a bit shocked because Dad was such an even-keeled man. He was dynamic, yes. As a preacher, he had a lot of energy and was quite often very serious.

He had moments of emotion, of course, but this moment wasn’t like anything I’d ever experienced from him. My 12-year-old mind watched as he wiped his eyes and wondered why I’d never seen this before.

I remember looking on in wonder and amazement…wonderment. This was my father and I’d never before seen him so vulnerable. In that moment, he seemed…well…human. Up to that point, he’d been Dad…Superman. But now, here he was, wiping his eyes like a baby and struggling to catch his breath.

It was the greatest thing I’d ever seen.

Dad was sick and for the first time, he was home in bed. We always knew him to be on the go and on his feet…except when he was at the typewriter, pecking away at his dissertation.

We’d recently been given a video of a Jamaican comedian and we thought it was the most hilarious thing ever. We weren’t sure Dad would watch it but since he was in bed, he was now a captive audience.

We put in the VHS and the show began. Within minutes, Dad was coughing and belly-laughing like we had never seen before. He laughed so hard tears began to make their way out of all 4 corners of his eyes. As he rubbed his eyes and attempted to dry them with the sheets, he laughed some more. We weren’t sure if he was going to explode or tell us to stop playing the video.

I remember looking at him with a smile. Because that was the day my dad became human!

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About The Author

My name is Robert Kennedy III. I’m a professional speaker and author. I speak and write mainly about leadership and communication. Connect with me onTwitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook or on my website, RobertKennedy3.com