Father...

Jacob had always been a strong man, both in body and spirit. A dedicated husband and a loving father, he spent his years providing for his family, ensuring they never wanted for anything. But as the years passed, his health began to falter. What started as fatigue and minor aches gradually turned into something more sinister, a slow but relentless deterioration that no doctor could halt.

As his strength waned, Jacob found himself confined to his bed more often than not. The once robust man who had carried the weight of his family now struggled with the simplest tasks. His heart ached not just from the physical pain but from the emotional distance that seemed to grow between him and his loved ones.

One evening, as the sun set and cast a golden hue over their small home, Jacob called his wife, Sarah, and their two children, Emily and Ben, to his bedside. With a frail voice, he expressed the depth of his love for them.

"Sarah," he whispered, reaching out to her, "you have been my rock, my everything. I love you more than words can say. And Emily, Ben, you are my pride and joy. I am so proud of the people you are becoming. I love you all deeply."

Sarah glanced at him, her eyes filled with a mix of frustration and impatience. "Jacob, we know you love us, but we have our lives to live. We can't be here all the time."

Emily, her eyes glued to her phone, barely looked up. "Yeah, Dad. We've heard this a million times. Just rest."

Ben, engrossed in his video game, nodded absentmindedly. "Sure, Dad. Love you too."

Jacob's heart shattered at their indifference. He had hoped for comfort, for a sign that his love had not been in vain, that his sacrifices had meant something. But as the days turned into weeks, he realized that his family had already moved on, their lives orbiting around concerns far removed from his own.

His condition worsened, and the end drew near. In his final moments, Jacob closed his eyes and took solace in the memories of the life he had lived, and the love he had given. Even if it was not reciprocated in his last days, he held on to the hope that somewhere, deep down, his love had left an indelible mark on their hearts.

With a final breath, Jacob let go, finding peace in the belief that he had done his best, that his love, though unreturned in his final days, had once been the centre of his world. And that, he hoped, would one day be enough. But he knew he had already lost everything...

For God was with him all the way...

Grant me eternal peace, my Lord.

Jacob M