11. A Letter To Your Father

Dear Babigo,

When we were younger, you used to take turns with each of us while driving your car. I would put my hands on the steering wheel and you would place yours right above them and drive through the neighborhood.

I remember when we were younger, you used to coach some of our basketball and football games every Thursday.

I recall the underground parking space that you used to drive through on the way back from outings – sometimes for fun and others to ‘’unintentionally’’ wake us up – that had a steep hill in it.

I smile when I think of the summer mornings in Lebanon when we would have the manakeesh, cheese pies, labneh, tomato/cucumber, olive and labneh combination or when we used to have brunches/lunches at restaurants on some Thursdays with friends and doughnuts on Fridays in the compound.

The music you used to play in the car and sing along with has still remained fondly in my memory – Cat Stevens, The Beatles, The Blues Brothers to name a few – and how you would air guitar Santana songs.

I remember the times when we were younger and you used to teach us how to swim – you would stand in the shallow end and tell us to come towards you. As we would, you would slowly take steps backwards and laugh quietly to yourself; I always used to think it was taking longer than what it seemed to reach you. Swimming in the sea used to scare me and I always felt safe when you were close by.

Growing up you would play all sorts of games with us and perform magic tricks (which entailed hiding keys and coins and finding them behind our ears). You still have a talent in that field - by the way - and your skills amaze me to this day!

I find it sweet how when we would go to the cinema or watch movies at home you would often fall asleep within the first twenty minutes but you would still want to hang out with us even if you weren’t fully conscious.

I love how when we play backgammon, you treat me as an equal and you don’t go easy on me. I also smile with how I make a move during the game and you sometimes make weird sounds or facial expressions in order to indicate that I should think about it more. Sometimes after the move you tell me what you think would have been a better move strategically.

I find it extremely sweet how you tease everyone and make the cutest jokes and gestures. I feel that we are alike in many ways and as I grow older I find myself taking on some values you have nurtured me with. Solving problems or differences through discussion with others has been one of the many lessons.

I find it cute that you read so many different books and you're often up for a conversation about them or life in general.

I reminisce about the time you said I should always smile when I look at the moon and it has a crescent shape.

Generally speaking you have taught me many things about life and one letter can never do justice or begin to explain what you mean to me and how much appreciation and respect I have for you. You have sacrificed a lot to be there for me and I hope I can make you feel as proud and loved as you have made me feel.

Love,
Marilena







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