During one of their walks into the forest his daughter gave him an oak leaf, all of a vivacious green color. Dad's habit was to keep each of the gatherings and presents of his children. Still, this very leaf had something special...
Organizing weekend breaks was a piece of cake for daddy, compared to his professional duties. Indeed growing responsibilities took most of his time and Daddy would frequently travel by car, by train, and lately even by aeroplane.
The ritual was the same at each of his journeys: Daddy took along things that reminded him of his children. His son's wristband never left his arm, and Dad took great care to lay gently the oak leaf unto the bedside.
When the working day was over, darkness settled in, absorbing even New York City, and the streetlights vanished smoothly. Daddy lay in his bed and rearranged his thoughts. Professional occupations trailed off, personal worries became lighter as sleep spread on daddy's consciousness.
That was when the oak leaf would come to light on the bedside. The hotel room became all greenish through odd fluorescent lights. A smile illuminated Daddy's pollyanna face, still asleep. All of the memories and delightful moments spent with his children rolled out in his dream. These cheerful hours and their walks across the woods. The singing of the birds, the amazed eyes of his children, unusual discoveries, everything was there! Each minute and image was present in that oak leaf, an element that represented so much more than its vegetal condition.
That was when the oak leaf would come to light on the bedside. The hotel room became all greenish through odd fluorescent lights. A smile illuminated Daddy's pollyanna face, still asleep. All of the memories and delightful moments spent with his children rolled out in his dream. These cheerful hours and their walks across the woods. The singing of the birds, the amazed eyes of his children, unusual discoveries, everything was there! Each minute and image was present in that oak leaf, an element that represented so much more than its vegetal condition.
July, 26 2015
© 2015 Matt Oehler
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