Time Is (Ir)Relevant
He looks down at his sleeping son. Although the boy is only six weeks old, the father feels like he didn’t know what life was before the child was born. Was there a time when this small angel didn’t exist? The father couldn’t imagine a life without his son. It seems he can’t remember what his life was before.
The father cherishes his son in that moment, trying to commit every detail to memory. Even the blemishes, even the flaky cradle cap, is precious to the father.
A flash.
Vertigo.
The son is much older. An adult. Father and Son are having a heated debate. What they argue the father can’t say. All the father feels is anger, devotion, and sadness.
The son is a little younger, and the father has found something in his son’s room. Something that makes him chuckle in reminiscence, but is also some cause for concern. How is he going to tell the son’s mother?
The son is younger still, playing tee ball. The father never had any interest in sports before, but he never misses a game.
The son is much older and looking down at the father. The father is laying very still. He is wearing a suit he has never seen before. He can not turn his head, though he’s certain he is laying inside a box. A single tear falls to splash on the father’s clasped hands.
A flash.
The father finds himself gripping the side of his son’s crib. He looks down at his white knuckles and finally gets one hand to release and wipe the sweat from his brow.
Was it all a dream? It felt so vivid, so real. Had it been a product of his active imagination? A vision of things to come?
Or was all of this happening at once?
Head spinning, the father turns to leave. Glancing over his shoulder one last time, he whispers one more ‘I love you’ before pulling the door closed.
I’m always looking for new ways to express myself. I thought I’d try to wrap some feelings into a fiction story. Let me know what you think, and have a great FatherHood Friday!
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Tags: Fatherhood, Fatherhood Friday, Fiction
Ya know, this brought me to tears…especially the last part…regardless of whether our child is awake or already asleep, when I leave the room, I always say “I Love you” Thanks or this!
BellaDaddy´s last blog ..Panties In a Wad
This was great. It was a sweet (with a touch of creepy).
Good Job
Jason´s last blog ..Other Family Diversions – Movie — iKnow Animals, Letters & Sounds GIVEAWAY
I second what Jason said. It’s not that what you wrote was bad, but creepy was definitely involved. It felt like I was reading about a new movie trailer!
Daddy Files´s last blog ..Touchdown Will!
This was a wonderful, warm, warning post. It does happen this quickly. The children do grow up before you kow it. Arguements between children and parents do happen. And parents, usually, leave the earth before their children. You had me clutching the crib bars in my mind. I have to tell you, you had me in tears. I can’t believe how quickly mine went from babies to grown and almost grown. But, I still make it a habit of saying I love you everyday. It’s what both parents and children need to say and hear. Thanks for this very touching post.
SurprisedMom´s last blog ..A Waning High
I really like this. It brought back some treasured memories about all my boys, along with some moments in our relationships that I regret deeply.
Dave (Recycled Dad)´s last blog ..Fafa faa fa, fa fafa faa fa
i love this….i can totally see this relationship. you’d prob be good at flash fiction 55. do you think you could get a story in 55 words?? :0) i’m finally up w ff.
ciara´s last blog ..It’s Flash Fiction and Fatherhood Friday Time. Guess What? I’m Gonna Be a Rebel.
p.s. i didn’t think the death part was creepy….i totally understood it.
ciara´s last blog ..It’s Flash Fiction and Fatherhood Friday Time. Guess What? I’m Gonna Be a Rebel.
To hold that first born son what a feeling. Daughters have a special place all there own as well but let’s talk about Son’s. They will carry on the name. What does that mean. You will watch with pride weather it is 4th place in a pinewood durby or later when Shakespere is spoken backwords. Word of the day is important and treat your Mother with respect. We hope our son’s will not repeat our mistakes but pick up on true values…….kindness, love and respect.
This was really good, man. Reminds me of the Chapin tune ‘Cats in the Cradle’ in some way, which always reminds me of my relationship with my dad.
PJ Mullen´s last blog ..Jamming in Joe’s Garage
I remember watching you sleep and thinking about how happy I was to know you were safely tucked in…There is a peace in that. I tried to take it all in while you were at home and thinking…How long will I have this? The amazing journey of watching your kids grow and change. Discovering the moon..Whas dat? learning how to tie your shoes, ride a bike, first day of school, the first step on the bus being to high for your short little legs to reach, then on to little short plays in grade school, the first kid in the neighborhood to clobber you with his backpack when “not the momma” swoops in to protect you. Jr. High and the Viola, Sr. High and all the plays…college and community theater..always involved in the process! The questions along the way,,,the conversations ..deep…spiritual..loved it all. Go back there alot..remembering when..So to make a long story longer..Enjoy every minute with your children. They will be a part of you forever! Make beautiful memories….together. Justin, you are a wonderful father, husband…and my beautiful son!!!!
Brilliant. I loved the novel “The Time Traveler’s Wife” so this flashback and forward really works for me. And brings the tears. Thank you.
Kevin W. Grossman´s last blog ..I swear this isn’t an anthropomorphized Coco-the-ape scenario
The secret is to enjoy all the moments in between.
This was a fantastic piece of writing. I don’t say that lightly.
WeaselMomma´s last blog ..My Future’s So Bright, I Gotta Wear Depends
That was very powerful. You said so much with so little. Thanks for sharing it. -Jason
The Devoted Dad´s last blog ..Trying To Be A Hero