The Point Of It All

It’s funny how life can take us to the most unexpected and most feared places just so that we can discover the strength that lies within; the very essence of our being and the meaning of our lives.

Naveeda had come to this realization as she sat in the lobby of an outpatient cancer treatment center, waiting for her father to complete his last treatment. After choosing to walk out of her parent’s home 4 years prior following a bitter argument with them, it was clear that none of that mattered now. She couldn’t even remember exactly what sparked the argument or who triggered the outburst. All she knew now was that time had passed, time that she nor they could ever get back. She was called home just a week prior by her older brother, who begged her not to allow anger and pain to keep her from her parents during their moment of need, after all they had done for her in the past. The day after her brother Jo-No (Joseph Norman) had called pleading with her to come home, she received a medium sized padded envelope in the mail from her mother. It contained a small black leather notebook.

Naveeda had always been a strong-willed, stubborn person, even as a small child. She had decided early on that once she made up her mind about something, there was no turning back, she had a point to prove and that was that! Naveeda came from a stable background, her parents enforced discipline, respect and education. Though they were kind and loving people they valued academic achievement in their household and whenever Naveeda seemed to be struggling in school, she didn’t feel as loved in her family. She was a good student and got many awards for good behavior and effort, but she wasn’t a star student. If she had it her way, school would have been optional, music and ART (her first loves) would have been the measuring rod of a person’s character and achievements. She found that through art she could imagine and dream big and allow herself to visit far away places through color. Her parents could not understand her choosing a paintbrush over college and a “normal” career. In her mind, they wanted to control her life and steal her dream, her joy, her love of ART.

Nothing from the past mattered as Naveeda sat in the lobby of this cancer center clutching the small black leather notebook of poems that her father had written to her over the past several years. She thought of all of the tears that she cried, thinking that he didn’t care, wondering if she had even crossed his mind. Afterall, it was always her mother reaching out, encouraging her to come home, saying, “We miss you, your father and I.” She assumed her mother was always speaking on his behalf. He was not an expressive person and preferred showing love through his work and dedication to family. You could tell by the twinkle in his eye when he was pleased with her or her brother’s behavior or deeds. He always rewarded them with a smile and an outing, without saying what it was for.

Naveeda and Jo-No’s dad, Pops J (or Attorney Joseph Parks) was a military man. He often displayed a hard “no nonsense” outer shell but anyone that knew him knew that he had a heart of gold. He is a relatively calm and mellow guy who likes family, food, and football. He always tried to lead by example and practice what he preached. After spending 12 years in the military, Pops J went to law school then opened his own law firm and eventually started 2 other business, in hopes of someday passing them down to his children, after they finished college and was qualified to run them. Naveeda, gave up her inheritance of the family business when she left home to pursue her artistic dreams after graduating from high school.

Her brother had chosen to follow their father’s advice by going the traditional route. He was now running both of the family businesses and handling Pop J’s financial affairs as his weakening body fought off colon cancer.

What was the point of winning the money from the best female artist contest if there was no one to prove her point to? Naveeda had expected to feel a sense of accomplishment and fulfillment when her name was announced for the $20,000 prize, but she didn’t feel anything. Though her face was smiling, her heart was in pain. It took her 4 years to prove to her dad that he was wrong and that she could make it on her own as an artist and find success without a college degree. Even though $20,000 isn’t a lot of money, it meant that she was winning; it was just one of several monetary awards that she had won for her artistic creativity (the largest sum at one time) but now, in this moment it meant nothing. The only thing that mattered was the words in the little black leather book and whether or not her dad would survive his battle with cancer after the treatment was done. If Naveeda could have only stopped to think four years earlier about what was most important in life and cherished the words her heart had known before she even read them in the little black book, maybe she would not be learning this hard lesson this day.

The point of it all… don’t let time, distance and foolish pride consume you just to prove a point. $20,000 can’t replace family bonds or love.