Chapter 1 – The Beginning

James Miller was seventy-two years old. His wife, Natalie, was sixty-nine. They lived in Cleveland, Ohio. They had only one child. His name was Daniel. He was thirty-two now. For James and Natalie, he was not just a son. He was their dream, their hope, and their world.

When Daniel was born, James cried with joy. He held his small hands and whispered, “You are my life.” Natalie kissed his forehead and said, “I will never let you be alone.” From that day, their whole life became about him. They lived for him. They worked for him. They smiled for him.

James worked in a small furniture shop. His job was hard. His back often hurt. His hands were rough from heavy wood. But he never complained. Every time he looked at Daniel’s face, he felt strong again. He told himself, “I am doing this for my son. One day he will have a better life.”

Natalie stayed at home. She cooked, cleaned, and gave her time to Daniel. When he was sick, she sat awake all night. She pressed his head with a wet cloth. She prayed for his health. She whispered to him softly, “I am here, my boy. Sleep, I am here.” She forgot her own needs because his smile was her only peace.

Every birthday, Natalie baked him a cake. James saved small coins to buy toys. Sometimes they had little money, but they always gave him something. One year, James bought him a small ball even though he had no new shoes for himself. Another year, Natalie stitched his clothes late at night so that he could wear something new for school. Their love was deep, and their sacrifices were silent.

On holidays, they decorated the house for him. At Christmas, they placed gifts near his bed. They woke early to see his face shine when he opened them. Natalie always said, “His smile is worth more than anything.” James agreed and said, “One day he will remember all of this. One day he will sit with us when we are old.” They believed this with all their heart.

Daniel grew. He was a happy child. He laughed, he ran, he asked questions all the time. James would sit with him and listen. Daniel would say, “Dad, I want to be a doctor.” Another day he said, “Mom, maybe I will be a singer.” Natalie always smiled and replied, “Do whatever you love. We will stand with you.” James added, “Yes, you just work hard. We will always be behind you.”

When Daniel started school, Natalie walked him every morning. She waited outside the gate until the bell rang. James would ask at night, “Did he eat his lunch? Did he smile today?” Natalie always gave every detail, because they both lived in his small world. When he came home with drawings, they placed them on the wall like treasures.

They never thought about themselves. They thought only about him. James worked overtime. He sometimes missed meals, but he saved money for Daniel’s books. Natalie often skipped new clothes for herself. Instead, she bought pencils, shoes, and snacks for Daniel. She said to James, “When he grows, he will know we gave everything.” James answered, “Yes, he will know, and he will give us his time in return.”

When Daniel fell sick with fever, Natalie did not sleep. She sat beside him, touching his head again and again. She prayed in silence, “God, take my health, give him health.” James came home from work and saw her tired eyes, but she smiled and said, “He is sleeping now.” They felt their hearts live inside him.

Every small moment was big for them. His first step made James cry. His first word made Natalie laugh with tears. His first school award was placed on the wall like gold. They never forgot those moments. They told each other again and again, “We are lucky. God gave us this boy.”

As Daniel grew older, his needs grew too. He wanted better shoes, better clothes, better books. James worked harder. Natalie managed the home with less. They never said no. They only said, “Yes, my son, you will have it.” They believed love meant giving, always giving.

On his twelfth birthday, James had no money left after bills. He borrowed from a friend just to buy Daniel a small guitar because Daniel once said, “I like music.” Natalie cried when she saw Daniel smile with the guitar in his hands. She whispered, “He is happy. That is enough.” James held her hand and said, “Yes, his happiness is our life.”

When Daniel became a teenager, he wanted more freedom. He started spending more time with friends. He came home late. He sat in his room with his phone. James said softly, “He is growing, let him be.” Natalie said quietly, “But he does not talk like before.” James tried to calm her, “It is just his age. He will always be our son.”

Still, they missed him. At dinner, they looked at the empty chair. Natalie would say, “He will eat later,” but her voice was heavy. James sometimes waited by the window, hoping Daniel would come home early. At night, they sat together and said, “We must trust. One day he will understand.”

They told each other stories of his childhood. Natalie said, “Do you remember his first day at school?” James replied, “Yes, he cried and held your hand so tight.” They smiled with wet eyes. They lived more in memories than in the present.

Inside their hearts, they still held the same dream. James whispered many nights, “When we are old, he will sit with us. He will remember all our love.” Natalie answered, “Yes, he will. Children never forget.” They held this hope like a light in the dark.

But slowly, the light began to flicker. Daniel was changing. He spoke less. He shared less. He was always busy. Still, James and Natalie held onto hope. They did not want to believe that their only son could ever leave them alone.