‘East or West, Home Is the Best’ I Realized after Standing near Dad I Didn’t See for 13 Years – Story of the Day

I was ashamed my dad was a poor school janitor, so I left him to pursue my dreams and become rich. At the peak of my success, I regretted everything when I went home to visit my dad after thirteen years.

Like any other little boy, even I wanted to be included. I didn't want my classmates and friends to think I was different. I didn't want them to know that Bob, our baseball coach and part-time school janitor, was my father. I was so embarrassed by my dad's non-native, broken English and his second job.

One day, when I was in third grade, my dad was called on the intercom to clean up the mess after a boy threw up in class. When I saw him, I pretended I was tying my shoelace.

"Hey, let me do it for you, sweetie," he came smiling and tied it up. I was so freaking embarrassed when he then said, "Your favorite burgers in the lunchbox, honey. See you later, son!" Now everyone knew I was my school janitor's son. "Like father, like son!!" they mocked me.

As years passed by, I started to live with this ugly truth. Nobody made friends with me, and everyone started teasing me for being poor. I was the best baseball player on the team my dad coached, but nobody recognized my talent. My old clothes and torn shoes were all that they saw.

I was twelve when I finally decided that this was not how my life should be. I didn't want to be called a 'janitor's son' anymore, and I was ready to pay any price for it... ANY PRICE...

A week before a crucial baseball match for juniors, my dad told me to get ready for training.

"Johnny, get up. We're late for the training."

I pretended I had a lot of homework to do. He kept pestering me, but I turned a deaf ear and refused.

"I don't have time for that. I want to study well so that I become a rich man. I don't want to be a cleaner like you, dad."

It was the first time in my life that I had refused and spoken sternly to my dad. He was stunned, and I knew he was offended by my words. But I didn't care and continued writing as my dad went to the field alone. It was the first time I did not play baseball, which was my favorite sport.

As time flew by, I devoted my heart and soul to my studies. I graduated high school with honors and was proud when I stood out as the best student. Nobody called me a janitor's son anymore. They addressed me as the school topper, and pride flowed through every vein of my body. Then I decided it was time to break free from my dad and follow my dreams.

Money can buy all the fancy stuff you want, but it cannot buy something as precious as love and family.

I decided to leave my dad. I knew he would be hurt by what I was going to do, but I was ready to go to any extent to accomplish my grand goals.

"Dad, I got a scholarship to a law school in California," I told him. My dad grinned, assuming I would turn down the offer and stay with him. But he didn't see my decision coming.

"Ahem!" I cleared my throat and continued: "I will leave in three days. I don't want to miss this opportunity."

My dad was startled. He was proud of me but upset I was leaving him. As I left for the airport three days later, my dad hugged me and said:

"Remember, son, no matter where you go, home is the best. There is nothing safer and more loving than being with your loved ones."

I ignored his words and bid him a final goodbye before boarding the taxi. As the cab drove past our gate, I saw a reflection of my dad standing on the doorstep in the wing mirror. He was wiping away his tears and still waving at me, but I never turned around to see him after that.

I flew to California, snatching my dad's happiness and peace.

I graduated from law school and earned an amazing position in a prestigious law firm. My dreams started coming true sooner than I had expected. I started tasting success while still very young — too young, as some would say. I became an accomplished lawyer and was at the peak of my career. I had everything a man my age could ask for—friends, girlfriends, parties, vacations, and whatnot.

Damn! This is life!! I often thought. I no longer remembered I was a janitor's son. I had forgotten about my dad, who was still coaching students and cleaning my school for a living. I seldom answered his calls or wrote back to him. Not that I ignored him completely. But I still had a lot more to achieve.

With time, the more success I tasted, the more lonely I became. Those I called friends slowly started isolating me. While some envied me, a few others were not loyal.

The postcards and gifts stopped coming. My mailbox, which once used to be stashed with surprises, stood rusted and worn out by the driveway. I didn't bother and focused on making more money. I achieved everything I wanted but true friends. I had every luxury but nobody to laugh or cry with.

On my 31st birthday, I kept checking my phone every time a notification popped. "Jose? Jessica? Mason? Who?" my mind wandered and raced, assuming it would be one of my friends wishing me a happy birthday. But there wasn't a single call or text. None of them had remembered.

Later that evening, I returned home from my office when something in my mailbox drew my attention.

A letter? Who sent me a letter? I wondered and saw it was from my father. He never forgot to mail me a greeting card and a letter every year. How did I ignore him? How did I forget he was the only one to wish me on my birthday?

I tore open the envelope, and what I found next broke my heart and made me cry after a long time. The last time I remembered crying was at my mother's funeral.

"Son, I'm really proud of you every day, every minute, and every second," it began as my glasses fogged up.

"No matter where you are, I love you to the last drop of my blood. I am so happy for you! I pray you are blessed and happy all your life, sweetheart. Love, Daddy."

My heart ripped apart, and I could not hold back my tears.

That very second, I realized I had not valued the greatest thing of my life—MY DAD'S LOVE! It was priceless, and I even if I had unearthed a mountain of gold, it couldn't buy me that genuine love.

That night, I packed my things and went to the airport. I was going to meet my dad after thirteen years. How will he react after seeing me? Will he be happy? Will he hug me? How will I face him?

I arrived at my dad's house the following afternoon. Everything was the same. My house, the lawn where my dad and I used to play baseball, and even my favorite tire swing were intact, just the way I left them more than a decade ago.

I saw my dad sitting in his favorite armchair on the veranda. He looked up and rose in delight as my shadow cast upon him from behind. My dad realized it was me by just looking at my shadow. What a great, loving man you are, daddy!

He hugged me and cried before I could even greet him.

East or west, home is the best! I realized.

"I've been waiting for this moment every single day, son!!" he wept on my shoulder and pulled out a pair of his old baseball gloves from the drawer.

That day, my dad and I played baseball in our backyard after so many years. We played for a really long time, and it was almost midnight. But the joy on my dad's face did not cease. He laughed like a kid and jumped around when I lost the game.

But, dad, I did not lose because my real victory is your love. I was the happiest man on earth. My heart fluttered like a feather in the air, landing on a soft bed of roses. Yes, it was that poetic!

I quit my job a few days later and stayed home with my dad. I found a new job as a baseball coach in a school, and though I earned little, I was happy because I had the love and support of the most beloved man of my life... MY DAD!!

What can we learn from this story?

• Money can buy all the fancy stuff you want, but it cannot buy something as precious as love and family. Johnny was ashamed of his father's profession and wanted to become rich. He became successful but realized that no amount of money could buy love and family.
• A person who truly loves you will never give up on you or let you go, even if you leave them. Although Johnny left his dad alone and moved out of the state to pursue his dreams, his dad loved him and wished only the best for him.

Share this story with your friends. It might brighten their day and inspire them.

A girl is ashamed of her dad, a coal miner, when he attends her graduation party. She bursts into tears and regrets insulting him after he takes the mic. Click here to read the full story.

This piece is inspired by stories from the everyday lives of our readers and written by a professional writer. Any resemblance to actual names or locations is purely coincidental. All images are for illustration purposes only. Share your story with us; maybe it will change someone's life. If you would like to share your story, please send it to info@amomama.com.