Better Beginnings 💞

16 - Sunshine Surprise

I woke up feeling super rested, like I had the best sleep ever. Since it was a holiday, I took my sweet time getting ready, enjoying the slow morning.

As I made my way downstairs, the quietness of the house struck me. It was unusual not to hear the familiar sounds of my family bustling about, especially on a holiday morning. I glanced around the empty kitchen, puzzled by the absence of my loved ones.

Panic began to bubble up inside me as I frantically searched every nook and cranny of the house, calling out their names in a desperate attempt to find them.

And then, just as I was about to give up hope, I heard it. The sound of laughter and chatter drifting in from the backyard. With a sense of relief flooding through me, I followed the noise until I stepped out into the sunshine.

And there they were, all gathered in the backyard, their faces alight with joy and excitement. "Happy birthday!" they shouted in unison, and I felt a surge of emotion welling up inside me. How could I have forgotten? Today was my birthday, a day that should have been etched into my memory.

But in that moment, surrounded by the familiar faces of my family and friends, all thoughts of my forgetfulness melted away. I was overcome with gratitude for the love and warmth that surrounded me, a reminder of the blessings that filled my life.

And then I saw him, standing among the crowd with a sheepish smile on his face. Noah, who wasn't supposed to know about my birthday, had somehow managed to sneak his way into the celebration. A rush of warmth flooded through me at the sight of him, and I couldn't help but smile.

As I stood there, surrounded by the warmth and laughter of my loved ones, a bittersweet feeling washed over me. This was my first birthday without my dad, and his absence echoed in the empty spaces between us.

I couldn't help but feel a pang of sadness as I looked around at the familiar faces, each one a reminder of the void left by my father's absence. He had always been the life of the party, the one who could make everyone smile with his jokes and laughter. Without him, the celebration felt incomplete, like a piece of the puzzle was missing.

But amidst the sadness, there was also a sense of gratitude for the memories we had shared. I closed my eyes for a moment, allowing myself to be transported back to the countless birthdays we had celebrated together, the laughter and joy filling my heart once more.

"Sadie, what's wrong?" Mom's gentle voice broke through the festive atmosphere, her concern evident in her eyes as she reached out to touch my arm.

I shook my head, blinking back tears as I struggled to find the words to express the ache in my heart. "It's nothing, Mom," I replied, forcing a smile. "Just missing Dad a little extra today."

The words hung in the air, heavy with the weight of our shared grief. Dad's absence loomed large over the celebration, casting a shadow over what should have been a joyous occasion.

But as if on cue, Ivan stepped forward, his expression solemn yet determined. "Sadie, come with me," he said, his voice gentle yet firm as he guided me towards the mantelpiece.

Confused, I followed his lead, my heart pounding with anticipation. And then, as Ivan reached out to pull back the curtain covering the photo, I gasped in surprise.

There, in the center of the mantelpiece, was a framed photograph of my dad, his smiling face looking down at us with warmth and affection. It was as if he was there with us, watching over the celebration and blessing us with his presence.

Tears welled up in my eyes as I reached out to touch the photo, a bittersweet smile tugging at the corners of my lips. In that moment, surrounded by the love and support of my family, I felt Dad's spirit enveloping me like a warm embrace, reminding me that even in his absence, he was still with us in spirit, guiding us through each moment of joy and sorrow.