The narrator reflects on a poignant childhood memory involving their father, illustrating the innocence and tenderness of their early bond. As a young child, they would attempt to hug their father, feeling small and unable to fully embrace him due to his overwhelming presence, symbolizing the safety and protection he represented. This highlights the deep emotional connection and the comfort found in that relationship during formative years.
Eventually, the narrator reaches a moment of growth where they can finally wrap their arms around their father, signifying a shift in their relationship dynamic. However, this new ability brings a sense of longing for the past, as they yearn to return to the time when their father was the one embracing them. It encapsulates the bittersweet nature of growing up and the desire to hold on to the simplicity and security of childhood.