father

 At 06:33 it was still dark. Completely dark… and it would remain so for some time. The words that echoed through his head were those of his mother saying that she was being punished for abandoning her parents. She had not abandoned her parents; she had left the UK with her own family in search of a better life. Decades later, her own children had left South Africa in search of a better life. She felt this was a punishment and guilt was administered in large doses. Her youngest son now lay in the all-consuming darkness and pondered this, a topic that had interested and troubled him his entire life. It seemed that so many people entered into stagnation because they were afraid to move away, afraid to break with tradition, afraid to seek their own path. At the same time, it struck him how many had suffered, were suffering, and would suffer as a result of their families moving away. Having no children, it was easy to claim that he would simply be happy for his own if they had moved to a better place to forge a future for themselves. After all, it is now the age of the internet, there is only time difference, communication is ever present. 

                  With his father visiting, many memories were visited… and, once again, he became aware of how hope and excitement and desire never fade. Regardless of age, we all want adventure, we all want conversation, we all want to feel loved and included, and we get excited about understanding and learning new things. Each day of the visit brought peace and calm. A steady routine set in… long walks in the morning, lunch outside somewhere in the early afternoon, with a drive to a lake or place of interest, then a calm evening of films and TV shows. His father left a positive mark and returned satisfied with his adventure. 

                  On to the next. 






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