"Dad, I am coming back."
``
Dad
,
I
am
coming
back
.
''
These five words changed my world.
These
five
words
changed
my
world
.
My daughter, Amy, had left home seven years before to live in San Francisco.
My
daughter
,
Amy
,
had
left
home
seven
years
before
to
live
in
San
Francisco
.
Over the years, we spent together during her infrequent trips back.
Over
the
years
,
we
spent
together
during
her
infrequent
trips
back
.
Whenever she came home, however, there was always a tension between us.
Whenever
she
came
home
,
however
,
there
was
always
a
tension
between
us
.
Because of my work, I had been under a great deal of pressure when she was growing up, and I would occasionally blow off steam.
Because
of
my
work
,
I
had
been
under
a
great
deal
of
pressure
when
she
was
growing
up
,
and
I
would
occasionally
blow
off
steam
.
Amy was a little afraid of me.
Amy
was
a
little
afraid
of
me
.
It was late October when Amy arrived.
It
was
late
October
when
Amy
arrived
.
Almost immediately, we got into a conflict over some minor problem.
Almost
immediately
,
we
got
into
a
conflict
over
some
minor
problem
.
I became worried I couldn't handle living with her.
I
became
worried
I
could
n't
handle
living
with
her
.
After my retirement, I would often be home.
After
my
retirement
,
I
would
often
be
home
.
Amy would often be home working as a writer for a publishing company in California.
Amy
would
often
be
home
working
as
a
writer
for
a
publishing
company
in
California
.
Before Amy arrived, I had begun writing a book about my job experience.
Before
Amy
arrived
,
I
had
begun
writing
a
book
about
my
job
experience
.
I knew the manuscript needed much editing.
I
knew
the
manuscript
needed
much
editing
.
Amy agreed to help me, and we set up a weekly meeting in which we went over her suggested changes.
Amy
agreed
to
help
me
,
and
we
set
up
a
weekly
meeting
in
which
we
went
over
her
suggested
changes
.
It was rough for me in the beginning because it was hard to accept that my work was far from perfect.
It
was
rough
for
me
in
the
beginning
because
it
was
hard
to
accept
that
my
work
was
far
from
perfect
.
Week after week, she skillfully helped me to improve my work.
Week
after
week
,
she
skillfully
helped
me
to
improve
my
work
.
Through my writing, she began to understand why I was under so much strain when she was a little girl.
Through
my
writing
,
she
began
to
understand
why
I
was
under
so
much
strain
when
she
was
a
little
girl
.
Also, I was told she suffered from the pain of dealing with depression.
Also
,
I
was
told
she
suffered
from
the
pain
of
dealing
with
depression
.
Amy said to me one morning, "Your book has saved my life.
Amy
said
to
me
one
morning
,
``
Your
book
has
saved
my
life
.
I was doubting the value of my existence.
I
was
doubting
the
value
of
my
existence
.
Helping you with your manuscript has been my anchor over the last six months."
Helping
you
with
your
manuscript
has
been
my
anchor
over
the
last
six
months
.
''
"Amy, you have inspired me with a great love of writing, and an even greater love of a fantastic editor, who just happens to be my daughter," I answered.
``
Amy
,
you
have
inspired
me
with
a
great
love
of
writing
,
and
an
even
greater
love
of
a
fantastic
editor
,
who
just
happens
to
be
my
daughter
,
''
I
answered
.
"Dad, I am coming back." These five words changed my world.  My daughter, Amy, had left home seven years before to live in San Francisco. Over the years, we spent together during her infrequent trips back. Whenever she came home, however, there was always a tension between us. Because of my work, I had been under a great deal of pressure when she was growing up, and I would occasionally blow off steam. Amy was a little afraid of me.  It was late October when Amy arrived. Almost immediately, we got into a conflict over some minor problem. I became worried I couldn't handle living with her. After my retirement, I would often be home. Amy would often be home working as a writer for a publishing company in California.  Before Amy arrived, I had begun writing a book about my job experience. I knew the manuscript needed much editing. Amy agreed to help me, and we set up a weekly meeting in which we went over her suggested changes. It was rough for me in the beginning because it was hard to accept that my work was far from perfect. Week after week, she skillfully helped me to improve my work.  Through my writing, she began to understand why I was under so much strain when she was a little girl. Also, I was told she suffered from the pain of dealing with depression.  Amy said to me one morning, "Your book has saved my life. I was doubting the value of my existence. Helping you with your manuscript has been my anchor over the last six months."  "Amy, you have inspired me with a great love of writing, and an even greater love of a fantastic editor, who just happens to be my daughter," I answered.