Of Fathers and Daughters

“As much as I love you, Jesus loves you more. I sacrifice a lot because I love you, but Jesus sacrificed everything because he loves you. So if somewhere along the way you fail a test or love a boy who does not love you back or have a mastectomy or develop Alzheimers or gain some weight or lose a job, you will still hold infinite value because Jesus loves you. No matter what. You are loved exactly as you are. Always.”

Dear Dad,

Do you remember that hug?

Yes, that specific one,

Intertwined with all the others,

But still so very significant.

You probably don't,

Because to you it was just a hug.

But to me it changed so very much

Do you remember that song?

The one we listened to a million times

The last notes transferring into the first,

A continuous, unbroken circle

You might not,

We listened to a lot of songs

But it showed me how much you loved me

Do you remember that breakfast?

The one that we drove to on your scooter,

While I sang the whole way

Like I always do

It may be faded in your memory,

So many meals, with so many people,

It told me that I could tell you anything

Do you remember that late night?

When I couldn't sleep

And neither could you,

And we talked about nothing?

You may have forgotten,

We always have a lot of sleepless nights,

But it showed me I was not alone.

Do you remember that talk?

The one where I hoped you would not be disappointed

Where I waited for what questions might come

But all that came was a hug.

Have I asked you about that hug?

Have I asked you about all those moments?

Have I told you how you changed me?

Have I told you that without you

My life would have been forever dented?

All because I didn't have those little moments 

With you

-Your Daughter

"There will be liars and thieves who take from you

Not to undermine the consequence

But you are not what you do

And when you need it most

I have a hundred reasons why I love you"