Daniel nodded.
Then he admitted, “Sometimes I miss her too.”
“I know.”
“I feel stupid.”
“Don’t.”
“How do you not feel stupid after someone fools you?”
I thought about Dad. GetParenting Tips
Then I said, “Trusting someone isn’t the embarrassing part. What they do with that trust belongs to them.”
Daniel looked at me.
“Grandpa would’ve liked that.”
“He would’ve pretended he said it first.”
Daniel laughed.
A genuine laugh.
After everything settled, I returned to Dad’s grave. GetParenting Tips
I brought flowers and sat on the same bench where I’d shown Daniel the video.
“I should’ve listened,” I said.
Of course, Dad didn’t answer.
But sitting there, I finally understood his warning.He hadn’t been right simply because Mark disappointed me.
Everyone disappoints someone eventually.
Dad had been right about the second part. GetParenting Tips
Don’t give away so much of yourself that you can’t stand when someone disappoints you.
