My Father

Two days ago I saw my fathers face for the first time in 17 years. That would be the length of time my parents have been divorced. It was 17 years ago that we left him in Mexico, like we had so many times before for the summer, but that time we never came back. My sister, who writes a blog in Spanish, shes very proud that she remembers how to speak & write it, so good at it in fact she teaches a class how to speak it; anyways she had sent me a txt with his picture. I first saw the picture & thought why is my sister sending me a picture of some old dude? the txt at the bottom said my dad had sent her the picture, I took a second look, I was speechless. For 5 minutes straight I didn't know what to say, I showed the picture to my bf, who did not seem to grasp the impact this was having on me, just said "huh" or something along those lines, anyways... I txted my sister back with "wow. he looks nothing like what I remember" she agreed.
I turn 27 today. I have yet to accomplish anything I thought that I would by the time I reached this age. I have always wondered if my life would have turned out differently if my dad was still in the picture. My picture my family, but for the last 17 years he has been a memory, and we talk only about 3 times a year, never really knowing what to say. For these 2 days & few hours I find myself starring at his picture. I turned it into one of the three wallpapers on my phone. Hes so old now. The top of his head is completely bald, his once bushy eyebrows are so thin he might as well draw them on. I hung out with my mother a few hours later, I showed her the picture, she never has a pleasant word to say about him. She was also surprised to see how Age had taken its toll on his face. I then looked at her & realized she was getting old too. She hadn't dyed her hair in more than a year, her grey hairs where at least 6 inches long. All the frowning she dose, gave her so many wrinkles.
Here I am 27 years old, I did manage to live on my own for a little while, I did get married, I had a shared art show, but a few people showed up just to see the things I created. Now I have needed so much help to get myself out of problems I created for myself, I had help getting divorced, Heck I had help leaving the guy. and now I'm not sure if I have accomplished anything else. I'm still in college. I dye my hair bright unusual colors, refusing my own natural hair color.
Yet here I am starring at the picture of my father.
He sent me a txt this morning, "Hola pequena como la estas pasando, feliz cumpleanos pasala bien un abraso y un beso, abre tu correo y contesta" (that was spanish).
I responded with "HOLA Papa estoy bien, gracias! Banjo me ensenio tu photo, que no tienes una de ti sonriando? Te extranio mucho"
He said "Yo tambien t extrano mucho t amo cuidate y cuida al gio besos"

I am disappointed by the shortness of the conversation. I cant blame him, after all, he's in Mexico, & txts are probably super expensive. I am sorry if this seemed depressing, or sarcastic I'm sure the next time I write about anything it will be more uplifting.
remember to breathe.