He see shades of the little girl he once knew, as the confident woman takes the podium to make her inaugural speech. Who knew then that the little girl would someday grow up to be a Governor? He watches the woman closely, hardly taking in her words, his mind wandering. He could have be in the front row watching her. He could have had the pleasure of giving her a hug when she finished her speech. He could have had the pride of looking around the audience and saying, “That’s my little girl all grown up.” Instead, he stands right at the back of the hall. She wouldn’t want him here.
He knows he lost it all when he put the bottle before his wife and little girl. He couldn’t face his little girl in the morning, after a night of drunkenness. He had to leave. After years of misery and self-loathing, he found his redemption. He got sober and started working again. He called home but his wife didn’t want to speak to him. He buried himself in his work and started investing his money well. Soon, he had money to send to his wife. Every month he sent her a cheque marked “For Kathy’s Education Fund.” She never acknowledged them, but he knew they were being cashed.
Years later, he tried calling home and a young woman took the phone.
“Kathy? It’s your Dad,” he said.
“My father’s been dead for many years, Mister,” she responded.
He knew then that he would never meet her again.
But today he smiles, watching in the shadows, knowing that he had contributed in some small measure to her success. “That’s my little girl,” he says to himself.
(This is in response to the BlogFEST 2012 prompt ‘Shadows’ by Leigh Young of ‘Views of An Optimist‘. Also responding to the picture prompt from GBE2)
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very idealistic. and optimistic. nice work on the prompt.
I was trying to stay away from it being dark in the shadows! Thanks, Linda.
I love it! Sometimes I do believe in second chance …
Aww… this happens in real life. How we risk losing the ones we love as an outcome of our indiscretion at one point in our lives. Beautiful, Corinne ❤ 🙂
Happens a lot. Good that he has the opportunity to see her grow to the woman she is….his little girl. Touching.
So beautiful, Corrine.
Corrine, you are on a role. I love the writing you are doing. I’m seeing a whole new side of you. I like all your sides!
Lovely story!!
I am enjoying this blogfest that you have participated it…it is fun to read so many beautiful posts day after day 🙂
Nice combo post! I really like this one. A lot.
heartwarming ending 🙂 redemption, albeit mild, is still redemption
What a wonderful story. Great job.
You have a vivid imagination. Nice that the shadows here are positive in spite of the fact that he lost his ‘little girl’. Still, it seems he found himself. Lovely writing Corinne.
Loved it!! 🙂
You write so beautifully 🙂
Nice story…thanks for sharing!
Corinne, this is beautiful writing. I’m so choked up. I want his family to forgive and embrace him. Yet, he accepts his banishment and continues to love, feasting on the scraps he gathers from the shadows. Beautiful <3
Such a heart warming and sad story. So sad that they could not reconcile and he had to watch her prosper from afar.
Kathy
http://gigglingtruckerswife.blogspot.com
Oh, another winner, Corinne! I was certainly choked up as I read this – it made me think about the power of forgiveness and the sad fact that too many of us are not forgiven by others for the mistakes we made. Thank goodness there is forgiveness in the Lord!
I’m hoping this father will be reconciled with his beautiful daughter one day . . .
Love and blessings, my friend!
Loved the story and feels nice to see the light in front of the shadow 🙂
Very touching, I was moved and disturbed too ! Beautiful expression, just loved it !
There always must be a second chance in life
Very much happens in real life many times. But the pain those people leave, will never want to love them anymore. beautiful Corinne.
Wow– excellent post. All our actions now-have consequences later–sometimes good–sometimes bad.
Cheers, Jenn.
Love it! Too bad, he didn’t get his second chance!
Sad and Beautiful all at the same time.
Xx