Popcorn conversation

There are times when I dream deep dreams. As if I were going back in time, these dreams transcend beyond the normal dream state into a subconscious arena where all my senses are activated. Tonight was one of those dreams where I went back to a special place in time, a moment that I hold dear in my heart… popcorn conversations.

There I am, sitting at the dining room table with my yellow bowl of homemade popcorn (the kind you get by shaking a pot on the stove), sitting across the room from my dad. In these philosophical moments, I had the pleasure of having the undivided attention of one of the greatest men who ever lived. You see some men talk about conversations they had with Andrew Carnegie, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., the President of the United States, or a famous celebrity. For me, he had something greater because despite conversations with such great men, very rarely could one say that he was loved as only a father can love a son.

The popcorn conversations were very serious in nature. These conversations weren’t focused on world affairs or military strategy, but on bigger issues like why my brother keeps beating me, important words, how I’m doing in elementary school, and most importantly, who is God. These were the times when you could ask anything without reservation and asking “why” multiple times was welcome. These were the times when I learned more about life and being a man than ever before. These were the moments that I treasure and I happily look forward to the opportunity to use these timeless templates with my future children.

The significance of popcorn conversations began with a simple gesture from a father who worked long hours sharing his meal with his little one at 2 in the morning. It was a sacred moment in which a good man understood that it would be a mistake to be away all day working hard and not take the opportunity to speak only to his son. Instead of telling his son to go back to bed, he welcomed the opportunity to listen. This show of love made these moments personal and memorable. There were nights when there was no conversation, just father and son watching a movie together. But there were nights when tears were shed and comfort given, or even times when instruction was needed to redirect, but in love.

Tonight’s dream took me back to a popcorn conversation. But this time I sat at the table without speaking, but thanking God that I have a father who loves me. Someone who loves me enough to be there even to this day when I travel home to have popcorn conversations. I am honored to have a great father (and mother) who listened to his son and always has a word that means so much. A father who not only talks about the love of Christ, but also lives it and demonstrates it.

I write this to honor the parents who have popcorn conversations with their sons and daughters. To those who strive to show love by listening and simply being there. It costs $2 for a bag of popcorn and 1 hour of time, but the investment lasts a lifetime and the return value is priceless. Thanks dad for our popcorn conversations. You defied all odds by not having a parent around to have those conversations with you, but you made it a point to make a difference in your children’s lives. We love you for that and we thank God every day for you…a true man!