A Visit with my Dad

My dad is such an interesting man—sometimes perplexing even. Self-critical, honest, wity, humorous, sensitive, and stuck in a 30-year cycle of addiction...to which he admits openly...and yet refuses to get treatment for.

When we got together two weekends ago, our time spent was impromptu, inspiring, nurturing, healing and engaging. It left me connected to a deep sense of love and sadness. We talked candidly about our relationship and our lives — the joys and pains...and about Mom who died in 2000. I was able to videotape our conversation, to which he was very open and allowed himself to be vulnerable. I was somewhat careful to ask the right questions and not offend my only surviving parent.

Hopefully, I will be able to share more about our conversation as part of 7Adinkras' Daddy's Girl project (anthology, documentary and stage performance). Accepting my dad and all his complexities helps me to confront my own complexities and understanding a part of myself. I left feeling nurtured—enrichened by our candid and open conversation in which we both embraced difficult questions about the realities of our lives, while dancing with our profound love and concern for each others wellbeing.

I love my Dad.