Warning: This post contains music, so turn the speakers down or pause it if you need to, but listen when you can. This is a decidedly different post on my blog, but I wanted to honor Father’s Day by recalling my own. If your father is still here to receive your own love letter….please give it to him.
What can you say about a man whose heart you possessed at first sight? It’s easy to say that you love and respect him. That’s expected. Or that you’re glad that he stayed when so many didn’t.
How can you ever thank him for teaching you how a man is supposed to love a woman? I know that the smile that mama possessed every time he came through the door asking “Where is that girl I love?” spoke volumes to me.
I’m glad that I had the chance to tell him if only a fraction of what was in my heart……..of how lucky I felt to be his daughter even though communication between us was sometimes difficult. I was touched to see him rubbing his glassy, rose tinted eyes as he read the letter whose words told what I found difficult to say out loud. Though I had nine siblings vying for his attention, I never felt as if I was lost in the shuffle. He made time for all of us and that made us feel mighty special.
He was always soft spoken and possessed a quiet strength that held the family together through good times and bad. Work was his constant companion and it was rare for him to take a day off because he took his commitment to us seriously. I think that is probably what gave him the most satisfaction….knowing that we never went without….we were always clothed, fed and nourished by his love and devotion. Twenty four hours a day, seven days a week.
He wasn’t my father. He was my dad….my daddy…the man who scooped me up whenever I fell asleep in front of the tv and put me in my bed. Not once did he know that half the time, I was feigning sleep. It just felt good knowing that my dad would take care of me no matter what.
He only remembered us in rare, lucid moments toward the end of his life. But, I could tell that deep in his heart he never forgot. And that’s what matters most. I think of him often and I wish I could have been there to say goodbye. I know when he arrived at the pearly gates his first words undoubtedly were “Where is that girl I love?”
I love and miss you,
Happy Father’s Day
Maryden25 on 
Twitter: ladyniki_59
What a beautiful tribute to your father for Father’s Day!. You have alot of great memories and I know he is being missed. Thanks for sharing your memories of your Dad!!
Twitter: aviewtoathrill
Thank you for listening/reading about my dad, Senaf!
Twitter: budgettravelsac
Renee, our dads are similar. My dad is quiet, works hard, is committed, and has a quiet type of strength. There are a lot of qualities I admire in my dad. While we haven’t really connected on a deep level, I had a lot of respect and admiration for him. In the end, those memories are pretty good ones to have!
Twitter: aviewtoathrill
Jeremy,
Yes, we were indeed lucky to have someone like that in our lives….it certainly has impacted my life today.
A very sweet tribute. There were 10 of you!? This man was not only a wonderful dad, he was a saint!
Twitter: aviewtoathrill
Stephanie,
Can you imagine how crazy it had to have been with 12 people in one house? We had 10 rooms, but that only meant that someone always had company…lol.
I got teary eyed reading this. Especially with the music. That was actually a nice touch. Happy Father’s day to all!
Twitter: aviewtoathrill
Oh, Grace…thanks for coming by dear!
oh renee! this is so incredibly beautiful. i thought jeremy’s post was my fave, but this will have to be a tie! what a sweet song too. i didn’t have that relationship, but absolutely love hearing about it from those who did.
Twitter: aviewtoathrill
Lorna,
Thanks, like all families, we had our challenges too…so I don’t want you to think that it was always ideal. I’m sorry that you didn’t have a close relationship with your dad, I can’t imagine how hard that must have been. And yes, the singer Chrisette Michele is phenomenal….glad you liked the song.
How wonderful this tribute of yours was! The lovely song was playing along while reading made me touched. Thank you!
Twitter: aviewtoathrill
Thanks, Virag! I’m glad that you enjoyed it.
Great post, Renee! And, I loved the music and the feeling it added to reading this.
Twitter: aviewtoathrill
Thanks, Jade! I appreciate it.
I really like this addition of music to this post. It made it more special and emotional. Well done (tear).
Twitter: aviewtoathrill
Thanks, Ben…..I absolutely love the song too.
Twitter: eurotravelista
I’m enjoying all the Fathers Day tributes! This one is very heartfelt and beautiful. I can tell you had a special relationship with your Dad.
Twitter: aviewtoathrill
Thanks, Debbie!
Renee reading this blog brought me to tears. i could just feel the love flowing from the words reaching to my heart and then flowing out of my eyes in the form of tear drops.. i could feel the respect, the admiration, and the inspiration your Dad has been to you… I am sure these words have reached him too and he is looking at you and smiling:)
Twitter: aviewtoathrill
Aww….thanks, Arpita! While we had our challenges, I still have very sweet memories of my dad…..and I think that he and my mom are looking down at me. ;-D
nice tribute for you daddy…like you my dad past away 2 yrs ago..i missed him too..
Twitter: aviewtoathrill
My condolences, Rochelle….I know your dad meant a lot to you.