Gemotions

The soft glow of the fairy lights strung across the porch cast dancing shadows on the patio. David hummed a tuneless melody as he grilled burgers, the smell of sizzling beef and charcoals filling the evening air. He watched his grandnephew, Finn, chase fireflies across the lawn, his laughter echoing in the twilight. He felt something pleasant.

Finn ran back, excitedly waving a drawing. It was a picture of a creature with antlers made of candy canes and fur the color of cotton candy. It was a familiar sight from David's own past.

He called out, "Care to tell me about it?" Finn, his face flushed with the energy of play, recounted the creature’s adventures. David watched, a smile spreading slowly across his face. He felt like the world was smiling along with him.