Small Moment

“I’ll travel to Mexico and Houston next week,” I heard my dad say.

“He’s leaving again?” I thought to myself.

My dad travels everywhere in Latin America because of his job as a petroleum engineer. This time he’s leaving to Villahermosa, Mexico. Usually throughout the month he’s two weeks at home and the other two in another country. We are already used to it—in my case since I was born—but we still miss him a lot. He is the one that makes us laugh but my little brother.

“You’re leaving?” I asked my dad almost in disbelieve.

I already knew he was leaving but I wanted to make sure I heard right.

“Yeah. On Wednesday,” he replied naturally.

“Oh…” I said softly.

Those were the only words that came out of my mouth. I was getting used to see him at home since he hasn’t traveled in more than two weeks. I think he noticed my disappointment and tried to say something. Nothing went out. He opened his mouth and closed it again. I think he didn’t know what to say because he was leaving for quite some time. I heard he was leaving for about three weeks.

My dad always—or at least most of the time—brings us a souvenir. It doesn’t matter if is a big or small one, the point is that he brought us something. (For example, he brought three little statues from China.) A lot of times he brings us chocolates because he doesn’t have time to chose something nice. I don’t care because I love chocolate.

“Where are you going?” I asked him as usual even though I already knew.

“I’m leaving to Houston for two weeks and other one in Villahermosa,” he said.

“So he’s going to Mexico?” I thought excitingly.

“Could you bring me some chucheria picante?” I asked once more.

Since we all lived in Mexico for a very long time we are very used to their costumes such as eating spicy food. When my dad travels to Villahermosa—which is not very often—we ask him if he can bring us some.

I noticed what advantages I get from my dad’s constant trips. (1) I am free of his “difficult” attitude for some time, (2) I get some new little gifts almost every month, and (3) I noticed how much I miss him.

I didn’t know why he always wants us to be together on weekends. I realized why he wants to
pass as much time as possible with us when he’s home. You don’t know how long you will live, and life is very short. We enjoy ourselves when he’s here. The laughing is back again. All of the funny stories that happened to us throughout the weekend reappear. The environment is just good.

I realized that all of the trips he makes actually bring us together as a family. We take advantage of the time he’s here to have some fun all together. Even though I describe my dad as “difficult”, I miss him a lot every single time he’s gone. I love him.