"IF WALLS COULD SPEAK"

By Noel Serrano

The large house glistened in the early morning sun and the familiar commotion of little feet running high above the 2nd floor where the family bedrooms were..

One of the older sisters are vigorously at work, for the day is a special day for the family. The children are quietly waking up now and given a present for the man on his special day.

One by one, go into the middle room where the older sister is at work, handling assorted packages of gifts labeled for father. There is a quiet reverence and a deep appreciation for this day because the father is still snuggled in bed and does not know what awaits him. The younger children are as excited about this day as if it were Christmas Eve. the mother is now up and gently kisses her husband and hands him a large box that has been wrapped very carefully and laced with great love and humility.

The birds are now chirping with a spring-like melody as the children begin to march in the master bedroom to each hand their gift to the man of the day. The father is now alert and with a flushed face, begins to sow his famous expression of emotion. the children are all a little shy at first, but after awhile, they begin to pile on the great bed along with their parents.

Each gift and each card is read and the delight of family and togetherness is visible in the eyes of all who witnessed this yearly ritual. There are now sounds of joy and laughter in the 2nd floor of this old, beloved house and the quiet hall now yearns to be a part of the family that has gathered in the large bedroom to honor the man that made so many things possible. this was the man that worked all night in the post office. This was the man that built box cars so that we could play with during those long summer days. This was the man who watched over us and protected us through the most vulnerable years. The eyes of the father would now glisten with tears of gratitude to see all of his children honor him in this manner. This bedroom was now full with kids, young and old, sitting around with father.

The father would thank All of them and would hug them and say "You are all my children and I thank God for each and everyone of you. Mother was nearby with a proud smile. She would recall how, weeks before, the setting was familiar...that was the day that the children would all honor her. There is no doubt that the feeling of family that was visible in that bedroom endures each and everyday in the collective mind and heart of this family.

After a great moment of togetherness, there came the familiar voice of our mother that declared: "okay, let's all get dressed, we're going to church".

Thank you Father and you too, Mom.