Gemotions

My father’s declaration – he was joining the Baha’i faith – landed like a soft, unexpected breeze. I watched him, his usually stern face softened, a genuine smile playing on his lips. I felt no anger, only an overwhelming desire to embrace him.

He was clearly nervous, bracing himself for resistance. I walked over, placed my arm around his shoulders. “Dad,” I said, my voice a little husky, “that’s… remarkable.”

Later, I helped him research Baha’i practices. I poured over books, fascinated by the tenets of unity and peace. Even though I didn't fully understand it, his happiness mattered more than my own comprehension. The world outside, the noisy world, faded, replaced by the tranquil hum of the library.