What they didn't realize...
He stood there as they cast their stones and critiques of who he'd become.
Their opinions of the home, the dynamics that they've created came firing back.
Taking it all in stride as they dismantled everything he'd sat with over the years.
The once overbearing and deeply negative became a perceived lack of care at all, a pacifist to his own life per their accounting.
What they didn't realize was he was learning compassion , learning from the errors of their youth to be a better man.
What they didn't realize as they tore into him, he remained calm not reactionary as he would have been in the past.
What they didn't realize was he was trying to grow an environment of love and not perpetually negative.
What they didn't realize is through this barrage of conversation was the softness he spoke that wasn't present five or ten years ago.
What they didn't realize is how they were braking him to his core but he knew he was strong enough to endure this familiar pain.
What they didn't realize is the last year for him was the worst too, but he kept them dry at the rainiest of times. Shouldering the burden as he would the burden on their hearts.
What they didn't realize is they felt safe enough to share freely, something that wasn't there before.
What they didn't realize the peace they were met with that wasn't there prior either.
What they didn't realize, he had created exactly the space he wanted to for them, where they felt loved, welcomed to share the burdens on their heart without judgement, and to exist how they wish.
What they didn't realize is he isn't perfect, but he's miles better than who raised them, and they'll never know the absence of a Father's love.