I suddenly remember being very little and being embraced by my father. I would try to put my arms around my father's waist, hug him back. I could never reach the whole way around the equator of his body; he was that much larger than life. Then one day, I could do it. I held him, instead of him holding me, and all I wanted at that moment was to have it back the other way.

Summary

This quote beautifully captures the bittersweet feeling of growing up and becoming independent. The speaker reminisces about being a child and feeling the overwhelming size and strength of their father. However, there comes a day when the speaker can finally encircle their father in a hug. This milestone represents their own growth and strength, but it also marks a shift in the parent-child relationship. The speaker longs for the comforting embrace of their father, highlighting the nostalgia and yearning for the innocence and security of childhood.

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