21 Years
My father died 21 years ago today. That means I have lived three-fourths of my life remembering him rather than experiencing him directly. Time has healed much of the hurt; as I noticed this day approaching, I realized in conversation with the Librarian how my memories of those short seven years profoundly continue to influence my development to this day. On this anniversary, I feel more gratitude for that time with my father than anything else. May my memories of him continue to shape the man and father I will be for decades to come.