My dad leaned back as if preparing to deliver a treasured memory, and the food court seemed to soften around us. He spoke calmly but with a spark that age had not dimmed. “Son,” he began, “I’ve lived nearly a century. I’ve seen the world change in ways you couldn’t imagine. I’ve crossed oceans, chased dreams that didn’t always make sense, and learned to laugh even when the road got rough.” The teenager, expecting a quick insult, suddenly looked unsure. My dad wasn’t mocking him—he was inviting him into a story, a gentle reminder that every life holds chapters others can’t see at a glance. Continue reading…
