Father’s Days

Dieter
New York, NY
love & trust

Last Sunday’s Fathers’ Day was an exceptional one for Dieter, just like the last three Fathers’ Day celebrations that have come prior to that. After growing up for so long without a father, this annual observance for patriarchs is something Dieter has not really kept for the longest time. How can he, when the one person who was supposed to rear him into manhood had been absent for so long?

And yet, the pain of that prolonged absence never stopped Dieter from reconnecting with his father when opportunity struck. Four years ago, his father resurfaced from a Bohemian lifestyle that had taken him to distant lands, farther and farther away from his family. Dieter had not heard from him in almost fifteen years, and it would have only been natural if the last thing he would have wanted was to talk to his father, much less see him.

Abiding by his tenet of “Love and Trust, the two things that encompass all humanity,” Dieter did the unexpected – he quit his job in New York and moved to Florida, where his father had relocated after contracting an illness that led him to finally stay put at one place. The selfless act not only brought their family closer to each other, it also made Dieter stronger inside, knowing that he was able to let go of all anger and resentment toward his father and accept him back into his life after all that they have been through.

Though it may seem like the perfect ending, Dieter acknowledges that things are far from happily ever after, that each day is still a learning experience, a step for both father and son to work on their relationship. He is very grateful though for the chance to really get to know his father better, no matter how delayed it may seem for most people.

Dieter is now back in New York where he is currently pursuing his dream of becoming a successful filmmaker, and nobody could be prouder of what he is accomplishing little by little, every single day than Dad.