• 05 Sep, 2011

Few who knew the stern-faced man could remember ever seeing him smile. Of rural origin, sharp-featured and intense in his gaze, he inspired awe and respect among his family, acquaintances, and villagers near Homs. Life beside the hard land had endowed him with a rigidity that left little room for tenderness.\nWhen his eldest son earned his high school certificate, the father asked about his plans. The son replied with confidence: “I want to travel to Germany to continue my studies.” The father said firmly: “Prepare yourself for travel. I want you to obtain a higher degree.”\nThe son left Homs in the early 1960s carrying his certificate and documents, with his father’s stern image engraved in his heart. Years later, he returned with a doctorate degree, German citizenship awarded for excellence, and a prestigious work contract. He became the director of a branch of Bayer pharmaceutical company, supervising doctors and specialists.\nUpon his return, he distributed gifts to all family members except his father. After a tense silence, he approached his father and handed him a wrapped paper saying: “As for you, my father, I found no better gift than this—my doctorate certificate.”\nIn that moment, the impossible happened. Tears rolled down the cheeks of the stern man, and a shy smile filled with pride appeared. It was like the cactus flower—rare, brief, but the most beautiful of all.\n\nAuthor: Moatasem Dalati