Faded Photograph

A homemade frame protects the faded photograph; it resides on a bookshelf next to his computer. Weeks can go by without him giving it a second thought. Than out of the blue the image will catch his eye and he will find himself wandering down some long forgotten road.

He does not have any actual memories of the picture being taken. After all he was only three months old at the time. From what he has been told the image was captured on Christmas morning. He is wearing little blue pants and a white shirt. He has a blue knit cap covering the top of his head. Two things stand out when he observes his younger self, he had piercing blue eyes and quite a head of hair for a three month old.

On his lap he clutches his very first Christmas present. A sock monkey that he received from his mother, it is brown with a red and white striped vest and matching hat. He has clear memories of the monkey because it was his favorite toy well into his sixth year.

Holding him in the photograph is his father. Sadly this is the only holiday picture he owns of the two of them together. The image of his father always leaves him with a lump in his throat. His dad appears so young, vibrant and full of life. His hair is black and his eyes are clear. His entire face appears to have swallowed by his pride filled smile. It was Christmas morning and he was holding his first-born son. Life for the moment was perfect.

If only it could have remained so.