Gemotions

“It’s here, Dad," his daughter said, holding out a single sheet of paper. Daniel, the patriarch, was not sure what to expect as he took the offered letter. It was from his younger brother, John. They had not spoken in over forty years.

The letter spoke of a missed childhood, the hurt of a vanished relationship, and the pain of a family divided. Daniel felt a pressure behind his eyes, a tightness in his chest. The words, carefully crafted, echoed with a sense of loss that mirrored his own.

He slowly folded the letter, his fingers tracing the creases. He went to the window, looking out over the familiar landscape. He felt a profound sense of sadness. Maybe it wasn't too late.