Gemotions

He straightened his tie, feeling a small smile play on his lips. The room was full of familiar faces, all gathered to celebrate the man who had shaped his life. He saw his mother across the room, smiling at him.

He began. “Dad, when I was a kid, I thought you could do anything. And you pretty much could. You built our house. You fixed every broken toy. You always knew the answer."

He paused, a wave of warmth washing over him as he recalled their shared laughter, their weekend adventures, the unspoken understanding between them. He thought of his mother, and how the two of them always worked so well together.

"You've shown me what it means to be a man, and what it means to care for your family. I am forever grateful."

He glanced at his father, his eyes gleaming. He knew he had to finish. He wanted to finish.