Papa's Code:
Papa’S CODE — A Swing Conversation
Papa asked the three oldest kids to meet him at the swing. Time was flying, and Papa felt the need to share some of his wisdom.
The elevated deck swing was under an extended roof and seated three. Everybody regarded the swing and the view overlooking the golf course and river as a wondrous place. Watching nature was always stimulating and rewarding. Fireflies blinked over the grass below, and the cicadas and crickets just started their evening chorus. The kids sat next to Papa and on chairs next to the swing — shoes off, knees dusty, their eyes on Papa, wondering why he called all of them to the swing. Papa rocked slowly and steadily in his old swing.
Papa: You know, kids, life’s got a rhythm. Some days you lead and some days it leads you. But no matter what song’s playing, you can always choose how you move through it.
Ruby: Like how you always say, “Keep your balance,” right, Papa?
Papa: (smiling) That’s right. Balance. Kindness helps with that. Being a kind, thoughtful person isn’t just about manners — it’s about how you see others. You stop thinking, “What do I want right now?” and start thinking, “What does this moment need?” Sometimes it’s a word. Sometimes it’s silence. Sometimes it’s just listening.
Jackson: But what if someone’s not kind back?
Papa: (chuckles softly) Ah, that’s the hard part. Kindness isn’t a trade — it’s a gift. You give it because it’s who you are, not because of what you’ll get. That’s how you keep your peace when the world’s rough.
He leaned forward, resting his hands on his knees.
Papa: You’ll face moments when doing right feels like standing alone. When the crowd’s going one way and your gut says, “That’s not right.” That’s when character steps up.
Ava: Even if it’s hard?
Papa: Especially when it’s hard. Choose right over easy. Right over popular. The easy road looks smooth — no rocks, no hills — but it leads nowhere worth going. The right road? It’ll test you. But it builds something inside you that no one can take away.
Jackson: You mean like when I told the coach I touched the ball last, even though no one saw?
Papa: (grinning) Exactly like that. Doing what’s right when no one’s watching — that’s who you really are. That’s what your name will mean someday.
The swing moved back and forth a few times before he spoke again.
Papa: And remember, it’s better to steer clear of trouble if you can. There’s no glory in wrestling with it for fun. But if it finds you — and sometimes it will — stand tall. Don’t run from what’s right just because it’s messy.
He pointed toward the yard, where the shadows were growing long.
Papa: Keep your eyes open, not just straight ahead. Remember your peripheral vision. Life’s not always what’s right in front of you. The real dangers — and the real beauty — sometimes sit just off to the side. Don’t miss them. There's beauty everywhere – you just have to become aware of it.
Ruby: Peripheral vision? Like in boxing?
Papa: (nodding) Exactly. In life, too. Pay attention to who’s beside you, who’s behind you, who’s quiet in the corner. Sometimes the folks who need kindness most are the ones you don’t notice at first glance.
He smiled, watching the fireflies drift higher.
Papa: Surround yourself with good, kind people. You’ll know them when you find them — they’ll lift you up without saying much. They’ll make you better just by being near. And when you can, be that person for someone else. The popular ones aren't always the kind ones.
Ava: How do you know who’s good?
Papa: (pauses) Listen to how you feel when you’re with them. Do they make you want to brag, or do they make you want to do better? The right kind of people don’t just cheer you up — they help you grow. Do they treat those less fortunate kindly?
Ruby: You always say, “Make a difference every day.” But what if I can’t do something big?
Papa: Big doesn’t mean loud, sweetie. Sometimes making a difference is helping one person breathe easier. A kind word. A small act. The world changes one quiet thing at a time.
He looked at them all — their faces catching the light from the sunroom, still young, but already carrying questions bigger than their years.
Papa: There’s no one else like you in this world. Not one. You’re unique, and you’re meant to be. Don’t spend your life trying to fit someone else’s outline. The world needs your shape — your voice, your heart, your way of seeing. Your way of feeling.
Ava: But what if people don’t like it?
Papa: Some won’t. That’s okay. The right people will. You weren’t made to please everyone; you were made to live true. Be yourself — and be kind doing it.
The rocking slowed. The air grew cooler. The stars were starting to come out, one by one.
Papa: Here’s what I’ve learned, after all these years: if you can end each day knowing you were kind, honest, and brave — if you did one thing to make the world better — you’ve done just fine.
Ruby: That’s your code, isn’t it, Papa?
Papa: (soft smile) That’s right. Papa’s Code. Not fancy. Not complicated. But it’ll steer you straight if you let it.
He looked at them for a long moment, the kind of look that says more than words.
Papa: You three — you’re my heart walking around in the world. Whatever happens, wherever you go, remember this: Do what’s right. Be kind. Stand tall. Keep your eyes open. Make a difference. And never forget —
He paused, the words catching in his throat, but his eyes said the rest.
Papa: I will always love you. ❤️
The swing swung, and the night filled in the silence — soft, steady, full of promise.
Author Joe Koenig 2025
