Sunset Town

Sunset town. It's a beautiful place. I've lived there my whole life. Songs have been written about this place. Paintings have been painted. Poems and novels written about the beauty contained here.

It's called sunset town because of the colour of the sky. It always looks like a different sunset. Shades of purples, blues, oranges, yellows, pinks... Think of your sunsets. Why are they special to you? Well for me it's easy. They just are. They're simply magical. Absolutely astonishing. They fill me with peace, and even though I live in a town blanketed in a constant sunset; I'll never tire of looking at the sky here.

I'm driving to my daughter's school right now. She's bubbly and lively, and so filled with light. Just like the sunsets here. It's her weekend with me and I want to make the most of it. I tap along to a Neil Diamond song on the radio, smile spreading across my face as I think of how my girl will run into my arms, cheeks flushed with a huge, boxy smile when she sees me. I never want to leave here. I know one day I'll have to, but for now, this is my place.

This particular sunset today, reminds me of lyrics from a song my daughter showed me. "I never want to leave this sunset town. But one day the time may come".

It's coming sooner than I wish, I have a gut feeling. Until then I'm going to make sure my daughter is happy. She's 11 now. Turning 12. She's what I live for. I haven't been the best father in the world to her, or even a good husband, however one thing is for sure. I love my daughter. I can't show it how I wish to, but I do.

I turn the corner leading to the gate of her school, I feel much smile widen, my cheeks hurting. I drive into the parking lot and stop as close to the entrance of the waiting area as I can. I look up to her, and see her waiting. I watch as she stands, talking excitedly to her friends. Her arms flail and her hands jump between motions as she dramatically, and enthusiastically tells them a story. She breaks eye contact as she gathers her thoughts, and in doing so she spots my car. I take that as my cue, and climb out the car, leaning on the roof and wave manically towards her. She returns my gesture, with both arms waving wildly above her head. She tackles her friends in a group hug, all of them laughing. When she lets go, they wave at me too, and I return the greeting with a smile that has yet to leave my face. She slings her bag over her right shoulder, brown hair whipping across her face, all messy from a day of being hyper and full of life.

Oh my girl. My smile broadens to an impossible breadth. She's absolutely precious. My princess.

My thoughts are interrupted as she tackles me with a tight hug. I laugh and squeeze her back, taking her bag from her. I open my trunk and plop her bag in, then open the passenger door for her. She hops in, cheeks red from laughing and playing in the sun. She shoots one last wave to her friends and I look up to them as they wave back to her. I smile warmly to them, almost thanking them for molding my girl into what she is now. They offer me a wave too and some shout various greetings towards me.

"Hello Uncle Peter!!"

"Hi Nicola's dad!!"

"Good afternoon sir!"

"Have a good weekend!"

And so on and so forth. I see my daughter's smile brighten as they greet me, looking back to me with a look filled with affection. I wave to her friends.

"You kids be good now! Have a fantastic weekend!"

They all respond with enthusiastic smiles, and promise to obey with mild jest to my playful command. I get back in the car, and start the engine, ready to pull off. My daughter looks up at me and tells me she loves me, smile reaching her eyes. I ruffle her already messy hair, and return her sentiment, my smile mirroring hers.

My old BMW groans and growls to life and I slowly pull out of the parking lot. I listen as Nicola tells me about her day. She uses the same wild hand motions, and laughs as she retells a story of something humorous that occured during her day.

"...And then my teacher told me well done for my test. She was happy. So I was happy too. Sarah and I played this game where..." story after story. A cacophony of never ending tales and entertainment. She sounds so happy. I wish she would stay that way forever, cheeks brimming with life and enthusiasm. Smile overtaking her entire face. Her smile makes me feel like I did a good job as a father. I just feel all my troubles slip away, glancing at this beautiful child next to me. Even the toughest thoughts become utterly meaningless at the sight of this light next to me.

She goes quiet and I realize she asked me something. "Sorry girl, just ask that again? I didn't hear you."

"I saaaiiid, can you sing me that sunshine song again? It's been a while since I last heard it." She says with a giggle.

I smile at her and I laugh silently at the innocence of her adorable request. And start singing the song to her.

"You are my sunshine. My only sunshine. You make me happy, when skies are grey..." She stares out the window, smiling contently as I sing to her. She joins in on the chorus as she stares out at the sunset above us.

It's always the small things that matter most. They always seem to have the biggest meaning. Her smile is the most important thing in my life. It's always there, and when it's not my heart breaks, and I think of ways to put it back.

I would give anything to keep a moment like this locked in time. It's times like these that make me feel happy to simply exist. I thank God every day for allowing me to bring such a light, into the world. Out of all the sunsets I've seen Sunset Town, she's still the most beautiful vision the world will ever come to know.

My girl.