"Da Kine"
By Tony Solis
WITHOUT CONDITION
He
was off to serve his country. Without utter and quiet tears he sorrowfully
embraced his wife tightly but gently. He let her go with regret and knelt to one
knee and looked deep-
ly in the eyes of his six-year-old son and said, “I’ll be home soon.” His
son just nodded. With duffle bag over his shoulder, he went off alongside the
other brave men to fight the fight what many had deemed, “Not our fight!”
Everyday
came a new letter of assurance that he was doing well and not to worry. Picture
after picture sent home meant that his son would remember his face and be proud
and soon, “Daddy would be home.” The next day mom and son anxiously waited
for another letter, another picture and then nothing. Nothing turned into a day.
Then a week. Then a month. Through the pain of the unknown, finally, a month and
a day later, a telegram came:
“Your husband is alive (Stop) He was injured by a
landmine (Stop) His face has been disfigured but is alive (Stop) He will be
transferred to the hospital in your hometown this Wednesday (Stop).”
Wednesday
had come too soon. Lying in his bed embarrassed and afraid of what his wife and
son will see. He insists that no one pass through his doors! No one! He wept for
hours and alone wishing only that his life been taken in that landmine. Then a
tiny voice, “Why are you crying, Daddy? Aren’t you happy to be home?”
Astonished that his son made neither remark nor showed any expression of his
disfigurement. Then the voice of his wife, “You’re home now, Dad. Welcome
home.”
Dear
Sons and Daughters,
This
is a true story that was told to me by an old friend. The point is evident. Love
those with the unseen eye. Love deeply and from the soul. Love like you want to
be loved and without condition.
“Da
Kine,” hopes all you Dads a Happy Father’s Day!
Tony Solis is the Host of “Eh! U Da Kine, Ah?” in
its second season on OC16, and is an on-air personality and the producer of the
Aloha Morning Show on Hawaiian 105 KINE. Tony can be reached at: tony@
udakinetv.com.