Category : Stories

Sub Category : Drama

I went to a family Christmas gathering this weekend. Everyone was there from all over the East Coast; cousins, aunties, nephews and nieces I had never even met before. I couldn't wipe the smile from my face. I had dreamed of this while I was in prison. For over thirty years this has always been the hardest time of year for me. Missing my family and longing to have them around me is one thing I had always taken for granted, but when I committed my crime and was forcibly taken from them, the value of having their love in my life came into perspective. That's how life teaches. It is normally when we lose something that we realize how important whatever it was really is.
When it came time to exchange gifts,  man you should have seen all the activity; boxes and bags were being passed around like crazy, exclamations of joy by this or that gift, even a few being bartered and traded around. I was so excited and happy just watching it. I noticed that none of them came my way. Nothing was handed to me. I have to admit it bothered me a little at first, but I realized that I have been gone for a very very long time and it will take some getting used to. It firmed my resolve up inside of me. This is my family, and by God they're going to know I am here now. It's up to me to make my presense known to them and it is going to fill my heart all the way to the top getting back into their lives. I figure I got a good full year ahead of me and it will be fun finding ways to make sure they feel my presence again.
Next year, I am sure, I wont be left out.