I noticed how the young man was in a panic as he stood in front of his father. Every inch of his body was shivering while his father questioned him strictly without giving him any chance to negotiate or discuss.

The father retorted, “Where were you, boy?”

The young man who is about to celebrate his 25th birthday stood there terrified. The father didn’t bother to listen to the answer or he didn’t want to give the boy a chance to think thoroughly and come up with an excuse to spare him the scolding.

He snapped again, “I said, where were you? Can’t you hear what I’m saying?” His voice seemed louder. He didn’t pay any attention to the humiliation and the anxiety that clearly marked his son.

Fathers were once sons and they went through all the stages every child, teenager and young man goes through. They should have a better understanding of the psychology of their sons.

This young man didn’t know what to answer his father. As the father continued to pressure him, he murmured to himself, “I wish you could just die and relieve us.”

Things have escalated to the extent that the young man is wishing for his father to die. But it didn’t shock the father, because he once wished that his father had died. History is repeating itself.

The father realized the seriousness of the situation and how it could negatively influence the child’s future. His attitude changed immediately and his voice became lower. He tried to address his son but he choked on the words. He was overwhelmed with emotion and remembered what he wished from his father a long time ago when he experienced the same situation. He genuinely and spontaneously embraced his son, kissing him and trying hard not to weep.

The young man was frightened of the sudden change so he rushed swearing and explaining to his father the reason why he was late, but this time kissing his hands, worried about him rather than afraid of him. He tried to calm him down.

The father began explaining and apologizing. He told his son that there were so many frightening things happening to young men and that he worried. They talked about everything and continued talking. The father finally realized that his son needed him, not just as a father figure in his life but as his friend too.

To all the fathers out there, don’t abandon your children and remember how it felt when you were young.