Last October, my older sister shared with our siblings our dad’s story.

I knew almost nothing about it because my father disappeared when I was born. As the father of two sons, I needed to know about his absence from my life so I could try to understand it.

As it turns out, my dad’s absence was best for us.

He left our family at the end of the Korean War, when he was accused of traitorous behavior. Had he stayed, we all would most likely have been executed as traitors.

So, in all actuality, my father’s disappearance was his wise way of keeping our family together even after the Korean War. He had an insight to surviving in wartime by not drawing any suspicion to us.

He had the courage to disappear. In the long run, we all survived, thanks to his sacrifice.

When I heard the truth, I had a newfound love of my father.

So, this Father’s day, even if you may not see eye to eye with him, why not try to understand your father better. You may be surprised at what you learn.