Gemotions

He re-read the email, each word a hammer blow: adopted. His entire life – his heritage, his identity – felt suddenly fragile, like a sandcastle at high tide. His mind raced, replaying conversations, searching for clues, signs of the truth he'd never known. He closed his eyes, picturing his father's weathered hands, his mother's warm smile. He felt a powerful swell of devotion for them, for the love they had shown him, for the sacrifices they had made. He thought of their reaction to the news, and a deep well of concern for them opened within him.