The sun was shinning, and a cool breeze blew across my nose. The day’s heat took a toll on me, and I felt like a wreck. I wondered whether this was what I had been yearning for all that long, and what the journey I had started as the birds sang their melodious songs would bring me to. Since the thought of searching for my long-lost dad whose image only blurred in my mind first hit me, a mysterious change had come over my entire life.I had come to this town where my mom used to say my dad was staying. I was pregnant with hopes of finding him, and at last get him back to the family; the lost, prodigal dad.

The site of this town looked weary, with most of the buildings sagging. The designs and the paintings looked weathered and tired. The site was one of a poor locality, with everyone that I passed by looking like a beaten soldier. I was overwhelmed. I could not imagine that my so-called biological father lived under these conditions.

Having walked and asked everyone who came my way, giving the vague description that I had from my mother about my father, fear started creeping down my spine. I wondered whether my mission would go home, with no one seeming to have a hint of him. Feeling stricken, with desperate slowness, I sagged flabbily to my knees. I sat on a rock by the roadside and dismay was clearly written on my face.

As I sat exploring into the space, a diminutive middle aged man strode towards me. He was decently His mode of dressing indicated that he was different from the residents in the area. When he reached where I was seated, he stretched his hand to greet me. It was a warm, comforting handshake. Looking at his face, I immediately realized that he was a sociable man. He was all smiles. He had seen and read the weariness on my face and decided to come to me. I could not help but thank God for this angel. He immediately started a conversation with me, and I viewed him as likeable. He introduced himself as Mr. Smith. I told him my name and my origin. I was ready to open up to him after an involving conversation about that place.

This man was a very influential person as I came to learn. He was a manager in a flourishing company that produced textiles. He had a degree from a famous university in the state. His view of life was interesting. He was also specialized in philosophy and talked of some circumstances that could lead people to the actions they do, and live their lives on the basis of what they understand and approve (Cooper, 2012). Sometimes the society can look at their actions and judge wrongly, failing to look at both sides of the coin.

His hobbies included writing poems, novels, and travelling. He had come across me while on one of his visits to this town. As he joined me on the rock, he told me, “Do you know much truth is hidden in books that people do not realize until they peruse the books?” He was erudite and earnest. He liked making friends and associating with people of all walks of life. He so much disliked situations where he could not offer help to a needy person, and he could do as much as he could to assist. He aspired to bring change to his society, and his main goal was to influence people to change for the better. That was the reason he participated in many projects.

Meeting with this man greatly influenced my life. Although I had started being morose, my spirits rose in the motion of sea waves. His characteristics, I realized, were a turning point to many whose hope in different issues was almost drowning. He became a supporting friend from that instant, one in whom I could easily confide. With his parting words ringing in my mind, “Not all those who wander are lost,” my strength of searching for my prodigal dad was rejuvenated.

Reference

Cooper, J. (2012). Pursuits of wisdom: six ways of life in ancient philosophy from Socrates to Plotinus. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press.