On Sunday, January 3, 2021 my father passed away. This is dedicated to him.

Today Another’s words made me stop…
…and think,
About my own Father and his effect on my life
And as I sat there…
…thinking back
I remember things to make me smile,
To bring mist to my eyes

Sunday mornings, always the best
To a little girl of 4 or 5
Bopping from bedroom to living room
Pigtails flying
“Morning Sunshine!”

my small frame against his bulky one
Funny pages, read and shared
Later outside – together
Riding my bike, he mowed the lawn
“DADDY! Watch me!”
He did

At sweet 7 – news of devastation
Mommy and Daddy won’t be together anymore
His love never waivered
I moved far away but still he was there
A star that guided
Firm but gentle
The big man with a soft spot for a freckle face girl

Other thoughts take the stage…
…filtered like a color wheel

Trips we took
Things we saw
Distance a factor but Daddy’s love I have

Then, my time to tell my Daddy I’ll be a Mommy
Scared of his disappointment
Will I lose his love?
Voice strained
Shaking fast
Tears
“You’ll be a great mother, Sunshine.”

His first look at my sweet baby boy
Time stopped
Heart stopped
The earth stopped
His love never did, shining bright in his eyes
Love pure and good
“I’m proud of you sunshine.”

To you, my Daddy – the man most admired
From deep within my heart
I love you

Photo by Cameo Monroe via Adobe Spark