Jeremiah

My dad visited Boston and Emerson for the first time this past weekend. Coincidentally, Emerson held its Open House for prospective students this past Saturday. Dean Ludman again asked me to participate in the Student Life panel, but the panel was at the same time as my dad’s flight. I am not sure what was more intimidating to my dad: hopping between T lines from the airport alone or being met by Arthur’s mom at Boylston to bring him to the panel discussion.

I imagine that parents wonder and worry and hope for their kids. I know that my coming out shook up my family. It shouldn’t have, but I know that it did because they have to recreate an image of me based on me and not wishful or denial driven thinking.

My dad has always told me that he was proud of me. Hopefully, this past weekend substantiated that pride. This was the first time my dad saw me, the environment I place myself in, and the life I have created on my own. He got a small glimpse at some of my passions; an idea of why I am studying what I am studying.

After my mom died, my dad and I lost our one-on-one time. As we hiked the Freedom Trail, I felt like a kid again with my dad at a Boy Scout retreat. Only this time, I was a man with some direction.

My dad has always been resilient. His visit has left me smiling the past two days.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, November 23rd, 2005 at 0:33 and is tagged gay, life.