paternal

My father is a brilliant man. His mind is brilliant and astounding.


This is not a biased statement, since I have been in conflict with him for as long as I can remember.

He is not a professor at a huge school, nor is he some kind of millionaire. From a regular POV, his two PhDs already mark him as unusual, but... He really is something else. It's not just that he's smart...He's an actual scholar, someone looking for truth.

My father takes time to look at things at all angles. He spends time to think on anything you say to him. I can't really...put into words how I know. It came to me this year only, late at night on a road empty of lights, buildings and people. He completely drew my mind away from itself, straining it and pushing me to think. You know how when you realize something bigger than yourself, you feel light-headed? (At least, I do). It was like that, but on a far greater scale.

He's taken things from his experiences, and molded and examined them until he's come up with a set of beliefs and knowledge--and those beliefs and morals he has are far more unique. He has discussed with me the kinds of things I should look at...I really cannot put it into words. For example, he's told me that a good person, a good friend, will stir within you feelings of "was I truly right? Was my method correct? Why did I not think of this before?"

He can listen to what you say, and figure out exactly what you really think--he dissects my own words and knows what I want.

But in actuality, that really...doesn't do his mind justice. I wish I knew how to tell you all.



He is a brilliant man. I don't really know why it took me so long to realize it, but he thinks on a far higher level than anyone else I have ever met, than any of the teachers, speakers or professors I've ever listened to.

With this epiphany, though, comes a lot of disappointment. Why had I never known? Why had I let my teenage angst and anger blind me? I have lost so much time to discuss things with him, and I probably won't ever have any more time.

His students are lucky. They get to listen to what he has to say, unobstructed. They get to learn from him. He's passionate about teaching, unlike many professors I've heard of who only work at big schools to research. He hopes to give students an understanding that school is there for us to learn how to learn, not to know something. He pairs this passion with compassion, often times giving all his time and efforts and money to them, and so it's no wonder they're so eternally grateful (I kid you not, some of the students he's taught from ten years ago still drop everything to help us if we call. )

I really respect him, and I hope I can live up to someone he will be proud of.