every once in a while  to remember when

                                                 in the shower he lathers his face with soap then opens his eyes wide letting the soap in to burn them

theyll never burn as they did when he was a boy

Keep your eyes shut his grandmother told him in her broken EnglishPolish lilt I should not have to tell youyou’re a big boy, you’re not dense, you know better. Keepkeep your eyes shut so the soap does not get in them. Your eyes burning is your fault. 

they burned

he sobbed

she didnt comfort him

she knew his tears would wash the soap out of his eyes  then the burning would stop

going to bed after bathing his father just returned home from workeating in the kitchen at the table with his mother at his elbow said Whats wrong with your eyes

Your boy can’t keep his eyes shut when I wash his hair and face.

Joe.

Yes Papa

Why don’t you keep your eyes closed?

Because

Because is not an answer, Joe.

You answer me because Papa

That’s different.

I do not see that it is different

Enough. Answer me. Why don’t you keep your eyes closed?

Because 

I know one day when I open them the burn will be a sting and it will not make me cry

the adults looked around at each other  their eyes then returning to him

You know his grandmother said it is okay to cry if something hurts.

Not everything that hurts is worth crying about

they looked back and forth again between themselves 

No his mother said not everything that hurts is worth crying about.

Thats what I think

Why do you think that? his father asked

I dont know  I just think that  

I think that when I hurt and dont crybecause it is not worth crying about  Ill be happier about myself

few things made him cry

if he cried he knew what made him cry was very worthwhile 

he cried unashamedly

                                    

no one could provoke him to shame

1301,  Friday,  4  5. 18

1350,  Twosday,  8  5. 18