Vashung Rimai
He taught the children
to hold the hammer
To beat the nail into the woods
And finish it into a meticulously handcrafted furniture.
Then he taught them
To clenched their fists,
Instructed them when to defend,
And when to strike their enemies.
Grateful but still wanting to learn more
They asked him, “Can you please teach us how to confront the other monsters?”
He looked at them puzzled and confused,
Yet calmly told them “I am also still learning”.
Dad, we are not even a little of what you are today
But we hope you and I start learning to address these other monsters.
The monsters of stress, anger, rage,anxiety and other mental illness
that you and I don’t think matter so much,
but which constantly haunt us day in and day out.
The monsters that you and I consider as “uncomfortable topics” that we usually don’t talk about.
The monsters that you and I have built in the form of a distant relationship while being so close.
Dad, I hope someday we do learn to confront these monsters.
Maybe, sometimes, we should learn to put our hammers down to talk about these monsters.
And stop clenching our fist so tight
lest we forget how to extend our hands for help.
Maybe, we should form new ways of living beyond just hammer and fists.
Maybe, Dad, maybe, we wouldn’t have seen what we see today if we had learned to address these other monsters.
Maybe, it is still not too late and we can start teaching the younger generation to address these monsters wisely.
Regardless, we are still grateful for the life that you gave and the joy that you have been.
No words can justly comprehend our feelings for you.
Thank you for who you have been and for all the things you have done for us.
Happy Father’s day to all the fathers!
Sincerely,
All the aspiring children for a better world.
