The Return of the Prodigal Son
- Thomas Beckwith
- 11 hours ago
- 2 min read
by Thomas Beckwith
Years earlier, he made a vow to never return
home to live before he left for college
in the mountains. He had a desire to explore
the world and gain knowledge.
His vow became even clearer
with the sudden loss of his mother.
A chance to take on the world,
and move to the Bold North to create a new persona.
Although he was born in the land
of free and home of the brave,
he would soon find out that
the color of his skin did matter.
Forced to return home against his own will,
after getting a taste of what he thought
was the American Dream.
Defeated, deterred, and depressed.
He was naïve about what it truly meant
to be black in the workplace.
The good, the bad, and the ugly along
with the challenges and standards that exist.
Belittled, betrayed, and broken for being himself.
He couldn’t accept or believe his fate.
Back in a place where he was just trying
to exist without his mother.
Trying to create a persona to protect himself.
All the while knowing he was only a shell of himself.
Trying to process what had happened.
While preparing for his next steps.
Defeat in his eyes, while trying to hold back
the tears and not cry.
He was on a mission to wellness.
To protect himself from his mental illness.
Unfortunately, he soon learned
that grief sometimes is not brief.
***
Thomas Beckwith is an Assistant Director for the University of Florida’s Office of Academic Support, where he provides support to students including academic coaching, leadership development, and holistic success planning. He also enjoys writing in his authentic voice, finding it to be a therapeutic way to process experiences and overcome past trauma.