A Tribute to Daddies

Lately, two people I dearly love have borne the agony of losing their "Daddy".

Note they didn't lose a "father" or simply a "dad" but a "DADDY". There are important differences here.

Anyone can be a father. Heck, a sperm donor even gets that distinction.

Being called "Dad" is a step-up. This implies you were THERE. You helped. You did your duty to your wife and your children.

But a "Daddy"? A Daddy is so much more.

-A Daddy holds your hand when you are scared, even if for no reason.

-A Daddy makes sure every one of your boyfriends is appropriate and has a serious conversation with your fiance about his ability to care for you.

-A Daddy had the biggest smile in the entire crowd at your first dance recital.

-A Daddy always has a little extra change "just for you", even when you are old enough to earn your own money, because he secretly stills feels responsible.

-A Daddy wipes away your tears when he sees you are in pain.

-A Daddy agrees that boys are horrid when one has broken your heart.

-A Daddy will take you out for ice cream, in the bitter cold, just because you need a little cheering up.

-A Daddy will always ask how you are doing before you have the chance to ask about his life.

-A Daddy will cry before and during your wedding, as well as at the reception*.

-A Daddy will teach you how to fish and gut what you caught. And, if you are squeamish, he'll bait the hook and let you go back to the car while he cleans all the fish.

-A Daddy will give you his coat when you get cold, even if it means he freezes himself.

-A Daddy will take the time to sit down and listen to you talk, even if he is bored to death by the topic.

-A Daddy will show-up, step-up, live-up and give-up for his baby daughter. And do double that for his grandchildren.

There is just no denying that Daddies have a special place in this world. And that, when they are gone, there is a void so big that it feels like we might fall into it and never be found again.

If you've been lucky enough to have a Daddy, I hope you take special note of the fact that the one who created your Daddy is still very much interested in taking care of you.

He loves everything about you. All your hurts, hopes, fears, dreams, cares, worries and wishes are at the top of his priority list, all the time. If He could, he'd take you in his arms and rock away the pain and hurt.

As much as your Daddy loved you, He loves you more.

Take heart, sweet ones. Take heart. There is a time coming when you will meet your Daddy again and be introduced, face-to-face, to His creator.

My prayer for you is that, in the time you have left here, you will live the kind of life that honors your Daddy. And that the distance between today's hurt and pain and your future joy and happiness will be the shortest time possible.

I know that is what your Daddy would most certainly want for you.


*And those tears are mostly because there is no absolutely no way to deny that you are now officially no longer "his" girl.