While crossing the street, Perry recalls seeing a toddler hold hands with his father and immediately began to cry.
Photos: Tyler Perry’s 1st Annual ‘Rise Above’ Celebration
“Why did I have such a strong emotional reaction to this father and son?” he asks. “It didn’t take long for me to realize that it was because I never had those kind of experiences, never knew that kind of unconditional joy, never knew what it felt like to be wanted and adored as a child.”
Having grappled with his own molestation as a child, Perry urges parents to love, protect, and understand their children.
Photos: Tyler Perry’s Love Lessons
“Think about it,” he writes. “And know that when you kiss that innocent face of your child, you kiss the face of God.”
Want more? Click here for Perry’s full essay.
