Looking back,

I didn’t know I would end up here…

a wife and child,

a stable job.

My son is now 7 years old and in elementary school.

We spoil him with lots of love and affection,

and it’s got me thinking…

about my mom.

She passed when I was young,

but I still remember her voice vividly.

I recalled something she once said to me:

“Take care of your father once you’re older. He might get a little grumpy when I’m gone, but even then, stay. Let him know you’re still there.”

And for the first time in a while,

I thought about him.

He stopped sending me apologies a few months ago.

I was thinking about what mom said,

and it soon turned into how he was doing.

And so one day,

I wanted to call him.

And didn’t at the same time.

He’s been saying that he’s changed,

that he went to rehab,

that he stopped drinking.

So I mustered up the courage,

and called him,

but he didn’t answer.

My call was then forwarded to voicemail,

so I gathered my thoughts,

and words left unsaid,

and spoke…