24 hours. That’s all the time I would have to spend with my son. Sure, I could spend it doing wild, crazy things I’ve always wanted to do. But, in the end, the most important thing would be to leave lasting memories with him.

We would play.

I would read to him from the great works.

I would teach him all I know, or try to at least.

I would lay with him on a hillside, watching the stars wheel overhead.

And at the end of the day, I would tuck him in.

And I would hug him.

And give him a kiss.

And once he was asleep, I would say good bye.

And I would quietly slip out of his room, leaving his last memory one of me smiling down at him, telling him how much I love him.