The Hidden Value of Parents

A favorite past time of mine is listening to podcasts.  I love learning about others' experiences different than my own.  I think there are great lessons to be learned from those around us.  I have a few channels that I subscribe to, and listen to on a consistent basis.  Earlier this week as I was walking to and from school I was listening to one of my favorite channels called The Moth.  The Moth is a podcast which travels the country, and asks people to share a particular true experience based on the topic for the show.  This episodes topic was on fathers.  And as I was walking home, in the pouring rain might I add, I was extremely moved by one of the guest's personal accounts on the subject.  The guest told the story of her early childhood, and the struggles of growing up in the war torn country of Afghanistan.  Her father who held a political office was often missing during this dangerous time, as he was wanted for treason by the over throwing party.  Although, she was a young child she always knew the dangers that threatened her and her family.  Fast forward a few years and she is now living in America with her family after her father got them out of the country, on fake papers.  The forgery of their papers eventually comes to light to the US government and the family finds themselves in immigration court.  The storyteller is a young teenager at this time and is the only one who speaks fluent english in her family, and so she acts as the translator during court.  She tells how the judge was very angry at her father for coming into the country illegally, and that is something not tolerated in America.  The judge then orders that they all be sent back to Afghanistan.  Her father who could understand what his future for him and his family would be asked to address the judge.  His request was granted.  Her father stood before the judge and began to unbutton his shirt, revealing a large scar on his torso.  In broken english he explained that he received the scar as he was being tortured.  He then exposed his back to the judge, which had three more wounds from gunshots.  Then he showed the judge the back of his legs which had been burned.  While this is happening the mans family, including the storyteller, where in shock!  She never knew that the reason her father was missing was because he was being held and tortured in prison.  Her father then begged to send him back if needs be, but please don't send back my family.  The judge left the courtroom with out saying a word.  He later came back, no longer dressed in his gown, holding official US papers.  The judge hugged her father and let him stamp his, and his families, new US citizenship documents.

This story had a powerful impact on me.  I learned that although my father was never tortured I know he would have been for me and my family.  I also accept that there are things that I will never know that my parents have done for me.  I move forward with a greater desire to show gratitude for my parents.  I know that for all their actions that I do know, there are just as many that I have no idea about.  I know that my parents aren't perfect and that's ok.  I also know that if I could see behind the scenes I would realize they are closer to perfection that I thought.