Inprint

My Son is 10 years old and i find myself at his party. Stories were told by family of the impact on their lives. Memories were shared of the way this special and impressive young soul has brought so much joy and inspiration,especially into my life...and i wondered...In my decadesss of life...what inprint have i left on my neighbours of this world. It is a question i have asked before(you know when life is at an ebb).

Have i invented a life changing gadget or medicine, one that has changed the way people all over the world live their life? Has my presence in this world meant the nourishment of millions of children? Have i inspired a generation to rise and feel empowered?...Not to my knowledge, or anyone's knowledge for that matter.

I delve deeper into the abyss of self pity, as i further muse on the significance of a life lived,but a potential un-reached.All my life, i think, has brought me to a point in which i strive for direction and ultimate worth...yet i do not seem to be able to pluck such magnificent indelible ink provided by me on this sullen earth....

Then......

Two weeks ago, my Prince,my Son and i were having one of our special time (a moment dedicated exclusively to daddy and son time,created out of the constraints of being a single father) and he showed me a golden book in which he had received from school, for being the star that he truly is.In it,family and friends are encouraged to write a lil' something about the Golden child.
I simply wrote "My Son,My best friend,I am proud to be your Dad.Thanks for being the best Son, any Father could ever wish to have.You are truly special"
He read this as we sat in the McDonalds 'restaurant' on those funky chairs with the retro backs. Suddenly he looks at me , and written on his face was emotions that couldn't be deciphered by a glance...i enquired about his thoughts in that moment ,as i have done countless of times before.
He told me he couldn't say,but he could write it down. So he got up and went to get a McDonald tissue in which he wrote:
"I am just so touched about what you wrote and said and i wouldn't trade you for any Dad in the world,you are perfect for me. You say no one's perfect,but you are to me.Ilove you Dad xoxo
p.s can we leave,cos if i cry, i don't want to do it in open air"

As i read his words, my head floated above the precipice that i once drowned in.My lungs filled with air,my heart shed tears that i hadn't done for a generation.i felt alive.

I asked this almost ten year old boy,how he felt this way...and he told me:
"Dad, I love you.In school they asked us to write about our Hero, and i chose you.You always teach me good stuff, and you look after your family and make sure that i am happy.You make me want to grow and be strong like you and never give up...and have big muscles like you"

Standing there ,at my Son's 10th birthday, wondering no more ,about the inprint on this world ,because staring at me with those God etched loving eyes of his, I had the answer.

My print is forever tattooed on this world.