November 16, 2014
If he were still here with us, my father would have turned 75 today but he was called Home just days before Christmas in 2005. Regretfully, my relationship with my father wasn't close. I don't know if it was because he felt guilty about the details of his relationship with my mother or not but he didn't treat me like I saw other fathers with their children, like spoiling me with presents or calling me "Daddy's Little Girl". Other than bowling, I don't remember him doing very much with me while I was growing up but I know I loved him and I know he loved me. My parents split when I was 14 so he wasn't there when I started dating. He didn't give anyone the speech that put fear into teenage boys' hearts and minds if they even THOUGHT of anything lascivious with me. But he was always "there" for me. What he lacked in physical or emotional affection, he made up for it by protecting and providing for my mother and me. The one time I remember trying to be affectionate with my father, I was 5 years old. I attempted to climb into his lap to watch football with him but instead he verbally and physically pushed me away. Little did I know that that one action would have such a profound impact on my life. I wish I had faced my fear of thinking that he didn't love me. No he didn't hug and kiss me and verbally say it but I know my father loved me. It has been years since his death, but it wasn't until this year that I fully examined my relationship with him. The relationship between a parent and a child has a significant effect on both of them that it reverberates throughout their lifetime. Encourage closeness and communication to keep that bond together. You'd be surprised how simple it is to uplift someone simply by saying "I love you".
Happy Birthday Daddy! I love you!
PeaceLoveHappiness
Lm…
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