Every time I visited my father’s grave, I noticed a pair of red gloves placed carefully on the tombstone

I always saw a pair of red gloves meticulously put on the monument when I visited my father’s grave. I was astonished by what I found out next.

Each time I visited my father’s grave, I saw a pair of red gloves that were meticulously positioned on the monument. I kept asking myself, “Who was leaving these gloves, and why?”

One day, I chose to arrive earlier than usual because of an odd feeling. Standing close to the tomb, a young boy was placing the red gloves in silence.

I had never laid eyes on him before. He was crying and appeared to be alone himself.

I wondered before I went in if my father had a hidden affair that no one had ever mentioned. What if this child—the one no one knew about—was his son?

I did not wish to frighten him. I walked gently up to him and said “hello” in a cool, almost friendly voice. His eyes were sorrowful as he stared at me. He responded after a time with a small nod.

I questioned him after that. And all I thought I knew was shattered by what he told me. I could never have imagined the cruelty of the truth that was revealed to me.

The child started to recount his story, his voice shaking.

He clarified that since his early years, he had been an orphan.

Despite living in a foster home, he seemed to have a hole in his life that he was unable to fill.

In a strange turn of events, he had met my father two winters prior.

My father offered him a pair of gloves he frequently wore when he noticed that he was without them on that icy day.

Lucas admitted to me how much this small act had moved him.

He was struck not just by the kind deed but also by my father’s consoling remarks that day.

They had developed a relationship over the months.

Seeing that Lucas was a frail child, my father had taught him how to knit.

He had taught him how to weave delicate pieces with care and patience.

Lucas had chosen to place those gloves on his tomb as a memorial to the man who had helped him through his toughest moments.

He created them as a quiet homage to the person who had assisted him in getting back up on his feet.