Dive

I remember watching Dad play video games. Looking over his shoulder I witnessed him creep down the dark halls of the Marathon hunted by alien slavers, or give orders to his small troop of medieval soldiers as they waited for Balor’s dark army of undead to descend on them. 

My imagination was set aflame. I became dedicated to adventure wherever I could find it: books, movies, video games. Eventually, spectating was not enough. I started with silly little videos, and now I write. But in the midst of creating, I was struck with a realization. My dad lived an adventure. 

When Mom and Dad told us we were moving to Thailand, I was only four. The fact that my parents were selling their house, most of their things, and flying across the ocean to start over in a different culture with a different language didn’t faze my young mind. Contrast to a couple years ago, I found it nerve-wracking just locating my hotel in Rome with the aid of a smartphone. 

Dad moved his family to a developing, mostly rural, foreign country in 1995. Little to no English speakers, or internet. Phones were not smart. Yet, he managed to find us places to live, food to eat, get clean water delivered to our home. He learned one of the hardest languages in the world for an English speaker. He listened and learned from the culture he was a guest in, and ultimately became part of the community. 

When I try to imagine myself in his shoes, I don’t think I would have done it. Dad invited me on adventures all the time. He showed me how special video games and movies can be. But he saw so much more beyond fiction. When he learned how to scuba dive he said, “Come with me!” My immediate answer was, “No.” It would be years before I finally pushed myself out of my comfort zone and tried it. What would have my first dive been like if I had said yes? 

Dad, you are a grand adventurer. I pray that I can have the same courage, humility, and grace in which you live your life. #HappyFathersDay