While reading the morning papers in the dining room table, Tyson felt a sudden strange silence in the room. He could hear his parents chatting around as he was reading the papers, and now they seemed to have stopped, creating a total silence. He slowly lowered the newspaper to look around, and his eyes immediately found the parents standing before him, with mirthful poses.

"Umm... hi, guys?" He skeptically smiled at them.

"My Tyson, look at you..." Her mother slowly moved to him, "Growing up too quickly... it feels like yesterday when you were crying in my arms... so tiny. Now you are a grown man and going to the university..." Emotions overcame her as tears gradually started forming in her eyes.

"Come on, mum, I will still be that baby you knew." Tyson put the newspaper on the table, "No matter how I age."

"Oh, my boy, do you really mean that?" The mother's emotions immediately took over.

"Of course, mum." Tyson looked at her with a lip smile, "I promise."

"Even if it gets to your marriage? Will you let me choose the ideal good Christian woman for you_?"

"Maritha!" The man of the house looked at the wife with a hint of irk, "That is a subject matter I remember us talking about never to indulge in."

Tyson let out a pleasant laugh as the mother remained silent.

"Tyson." His father looked at him, taking one chair from the dining furniture set and sitting, "We are really proud of you. We are proud of your achievements in academics, your behavior, character and virtues. This doesn't happen in all families. It is extremely rare." He proudly complimented, "You have positive values and character and thorough uprightness that is enough to make any parent happy and proud."

"Thank you, dad. But it hasn't been me alone. You are great parents! You have natured me through the best parenting skills and you always trust me to discover my life. Any child will be appreciative and happy of that."

The father proudly smiled. He knew the child was right because he believed he was the main one who had structured him into the young man he was. He was the major parent since the son was born until he attained eight years of age when his wife's studies were complete. He was ever present in the child's formative years, and he instilled in the son what he believed was important. He did this with love and care, and the son became who the father wanted him to be. The son was formed from what the father believed was right, because he had always known that background and upbringing determined a child's values and morals. We have brought him right by always being in his life, no matter how busy we were. At least one had to constantly be present in his formative years.

"I am glad you have said that." He said as the wife moved to him and put her hands on his shoulder, "We have a gift for you..." He stretched his hand that carried a small white box to the son, "It is a present for joining the university, and... how proud you have made us with your life."

Tyson eagerly took the gift box, just as eager as the uncountable times his parents had given him gifts. He opened the box happily and found a key inside it, "Is this... house or car key?" He stared at the parents with a struck of curiosity.

"I believe what you want to hear is car key." His father happily smiled.

There was a wild excitement on Tyson's face after hearing the father, "THANK YOU! REALLY THANK YOU!" He got up and ecstatically hugged the parents, "You have made my life! All I ever wanted was a car and... I don't know what to say... I am completely speechless!"

"How about keeping on working hard and always be who you are?" His father still smiled.

"Definitely, dad, whatever you say! I will gladly do it!" Tyson said then cleared his face and held up the car key, "If it will make you happy and proud of me, then I promise to always be who I am."

His parents still proudly smiled. They knew their son, and they strongly hoped for his prosperous future.