NdukuOutLoud

Daily writing prompt

Describe a man who has positively impacted your life.

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You know, I actually struggled with this question. I had to think, search, think again, and still couldn’t land on one man who’s impacted me positively without also disappointing me in almost equal measure. But hey- people are human. They come with both the good and not-so-good. So, in the spirit of staying positive, I’ll talk about two men who’ve shaped my life in ways I can’t ignore.

My Dad

My dad has been a steady figure in my life-supportive, encouraging, loving-in the ways he knew how. Being the last of six kids, I either got more attention than the rest or less, depending on who you ask. But I know I hold a special place in his heart, and he in mine.

He’s soft-spoken, rarely raises his voice, and somehow stays calm even in crises. He’s wise,stubborn at times, but open to persuasion if you push hard enough. He’s kind, keeps friendships that have lasted longer than I’ve been alive, and has this deep, contagious laugh that makes you wish he’d laugh more often.

The older I get, the more I appreciate him-not just in the “cherish them before they’re gone” way, but in the adult “I get it now” way. We’ve tested each other’s patience over the years, and in true African fashion, my mistakes were always the ones highlighted. I apologized, sometimes changed, sometimes didn’t. But through it all, he’s remained my anchor.

Now, watching him as a grandfather to my daughter, I sometimes envy their bond. I never had that with my own grandparents. But I make sure they stay connected, because their relationship is something special.

My Child’s Father

Now this one might raise eyebrows with my friends, but honesty wins. My child’s father has impacted my life too. He’s not perfect-sometimes I wonder how we even ended up together-but from that relationship came my greatest gift: my daughter.

Learning more about pregnancy and biology, I’ve realized it’s not just about the fastest swimmer reaching the egg—the egg chooses too. Back then, we chose each other. We don’t choose each other now, and haven’t for years, but that choice gave me my daughter. And she’s the gift that keeps on giving.

I could list other positives, but my mind tends to wander toward the negatives. So I’ll stop here before we spiral.

Lovely afternoon, my friends.