Paying Homage To A Fallen Hunter: Honoring My Father’s Legacy

They say never meet your heroes. 

 

As far back as I can remember, my dad was shoving a SNES controller into my palms. He introduced me to a variety of worlds I could escape to. There were princesses to save, mine carts to ride, and a plethora of baddies to slay along the way. But above all, one world reigned supreme: Metroid, and the planet Zebes.

I’d seen him and my mother obsessing over it together- one would play until the next save, and they’d alternate like that until they had to go their separate ways for work. One of my earliest memories is my mom getting busted for playing while my dad was at work; a HUGE no-no. I scoured the Nintendo Power guide for Super Metroid and studied it religiously, taking care not to spoil the ending for myself. I knew who Samus was now, and it wasn’t long until it was my turn to join the hunt. 

Nothing prepared me for how absolutely difficult it was going to be for my kid hands to grasp the controls, and I quickly grew frustrated. I remember tossing the controller across the bed in anger and my dad was furious. He was having none of it.

 

 

“Pick it up and try again.”

I really had no interest in doing so, but he made it clear that if I gave up now he wouldn’t let me play again for the foreseeable future. I reluctantly tried again, only to yet again fail. Angry now, I looked at my dad in defeat. 

“Timing is everything,” He took the controller and I watched as he effortlessly jumped up the side of a wall and neatly landed at the top. “And always remember to check for secrets. It’ll be worth it.” He grabbed an expansion I didn’t even know was there because I’d been too frustrated to care to look. I didn’t know it at the time, but he hadn’t just been talking about Metroid or missiles. 

Now well into my 30’s, I still remember that day as clear as a cloudless sky. My father would end up making life lessons and teaching moments out of all the games we played, but anytime life is coming at me too fast I’m reminded of his lessons on Zebes the most:  “Timing is everything, and don’t forget to check for secrets.” 

To this day, this singular phrase drives me to remember to take my time and observe a situation without making a knee-jerk reaction or giving up, and it has saved me from serious heartbreak and led to many opportunities in my life for which I am grateful, such as the one that led me here to Omega Metroid.

 

 

I’m glad I met my hero, and I miss him every day. But I know he’s out there among the stars, proud of me for continuing to TRY everyday.

So go out and check for secrets of your own, discover things you’d not otherwise see. Be your own hero.

See you all next mission.

 

RIP Vekim, 1952-2019