Papa Was~~~~~

I hold three magic stones in my hand, rolling them over-and-over-and over, leaving this reality behind - far behind, as I fly back-ward through time. Suddenly! We are together; I have dreamed of this moment for so long; I am filled with so much happiness; it falls from my eyes in tears you kiss from my cheeks as we embrace. I am a child again! It is Christmas Eve! Carols, and scents of cinnamon, and pine, fill the air, as we decorate the tree; you place an angel on the top, and say she looks just like me. Snowflakes dance outside the frosted window-panes. White tapers melt into dreams and drip onto the mantle as they flicker and glow in the magic of this night. The Yule-tide logs lying in the hearth, slowly turn to embers - like the three glowing stones, I hold In my hand, that I roll, over-and-over-and-over again~~~~~ Now! I count sixteen candles on my birthday cake, as you waltz me around the room. Tonight - I am a princess. I roll the stones again~~~~~ Your handsome face beams with pride as I stand before you, in cap and gown - scroll in hand, on this - my graduation day. I roll the stones again~~~~~ Now! You (tall and handsome) in black tuxedo, me, in jewelled gown of satin white, walk (arm-in-arm), down the isle, on this - my wedding day. I roll the stones again~~~~~ Tears of joy - swim in your ebony eyes as you reach out to hold a new-born babe (my son), who looks just like you. How can this be? How is this possible? You were never there. I roll the stones again~~~~~ Then I see them - Three little WORDS engraved in the three stones - my legacy - that brings you back to me after all these years. Three stones - I roll over and over and over again, until they fall into place and say, “I LOVE YOU.” And, in that moment, all those lonely childhood years, SIMPLY DISSAPPEAR~~~~~~~~~~ Author's Note: This story is totally fictional and was written for Constance's contest and Marvin Gaye. Written: November 7th, 2009 2nd place in Constance La France's contest ' A Magical Journey'