Moment with my father.

 The taxis and cars whizzed by on the street, their headlights casting a warm glow on the wet pavement. On the corner, a group of boys were engrossed in a heated game of soccer, their laughter and shouts carrying through the crisp winter air. The atmosphere was alive with the smell of smoke wafting from chimneys and the distant hum of traffic.

I sat on the couch, my phone clutched tightly in my hand, a wide smile spreading across my face. My mother, busy peeling potatoes in the kitchen, couldn't help but notice my expression. "Sipho, what's got you so happy?" she asked, her curiosity piqued.

I looked up at her, my excitement bubbling over. "It's about my father," I said, barely containing my enthusiasm. My mother's eyes lit up with interest, and she put down the potatoes, wiping her hands on her apron before sitting down beside me.

"Tell me everything," she encouraged, her smile warm and inviting.

I took a deep breath, launching into a story that had been tucked away in my heart for so long. "One day, I was feeling really bored, and Father arrived just in time. He said, 'Sipho, we're going somewhere, go get ready.' I was so excited, I started jumping up and down."

My mother's eyes sparkled with amusement as I recounted the day we went to Phokeng Lodge. "He bought me sweets and cakes, and other kids wanted to play with me. It was the best day ever," I said, my voice filled with nostalgia.

As I continued, my mother listened intently, her expression softening with every word. I told her about the time we went to the cinema, and how it was my first time watching a movie on the big screen. "Having a father is a special thing," I said, my voice filled with conviction. "You feel so loved."

My mother's eyes welled up with tears as I spoke about my father's lessons. "He taught me to be a gentleman, to respect women, and to stand up for myself," I said, my voice filled with admiration. "He never raised a hand to you, and he always protected me."

As I finished my story, my mother wrapped her arms around me, holding me close. "You're so lucky to have a father like that," she whispered, her voice trembling with emotion.

I nodded, feeling grateful for the legendary father I had. My father may not have been perfect, but he had always been there for me, teaching me valuable lessons and showing me what it meant to be a good person. As I looked at my mother, I knew that she was lucky to have him too, and I felt grateful to be part of such a loving family.

In that moment, I realized that my father's influence had shaped me into the person I was today. He had taught me to appreciate the little things in life, to respect others, and to stand up for myself. As I hugged my mother back, I knew that I would always cherish the memories of my childhood, and the lessons my father had taught me.

©Brian Makara, 2025.