Pāhonoa te oro

I remember the day of my graduation like it was yesterday, but not for the reasons most people would think. Everyone around me was cheering, cameras flashing, smiles everywhere, but my dad… he didn’t even look at me. He stood across the room, arms crossed, a stern expression on his face, and whispered, “Stop begging for attention.” I froze. My heart sank. All those years of hard work, sleepless nights, and sacrifices, and here I was, being told I was seeking attention. I tried to smile, but the