By Dan Belmont
This is my favorite photo of my father. On top of a mountain, exhausted from the climb, but smiling.
He liked to say that was his mountain. “When you’re sixteen, I’ll take you there with me.”
I believed him. Even when he got ill. Even in those long afternoons by his hospital bed, I still believed him.
The day I turned sixteen, I climbed the mountain alone. I wanted to take a photo just like my father’s. I owed that to him and to myself.
I thought the climb would be difficult. I was wrong. The hardest part was the smile.
Loved it. As a poet I appreciate the challenge of saying more with less, sometimes just a few meager words. Great job.
What a lovely story. I’m a little bit tearful.
Me too. Even though you are warned it’s coming it still hits hard. Beautifully done.
This was both beautiful and powerful…and all with so few words. Well done!
Very nice work.
Very moving….
Beautiful story! I’m having trouble swallowing the lump in my throat. Well done!
Gorgeous, elegant story — few words and yet huge impact. Terrific!
Beautiful
Such a sweet end…wonderful!