my daddy

With Father's Day approaching, I have been thinking about my daddy, a lot. I was very blessed to have him in my life, even if it was for a short time. And, although it has been over a decade since he passed, I still find myself searching through Father's Day cards for the perfect one to express how important my daddy was to me. 

I've got him cards about being my first love, my hero, my guiding hand... 

I've got him cards thanking him for being there for me, supporting me, raising me...

I've even got him some funny cards over the years.

But I have yet to find a card that really says just how much my daddy did for me in the twelve years of my life that he was with me. 

You see, my daddy actually WAS my hero and he REALLY went above and beyond to be there for me and for some reason a simple card with those simple words, doesn't seem like enough. 

I'm sure every little girl thinks their daddy is a hero, but mine really was. 

When I was four years old, I was kidnapped. I was taking from my family home, crossed three state borders, and brought to an old house somewhere in Indiana. Where police failed to move, my daddy didn't hesitate. He tracked down my kidnapper, broke down their front door and took me back.  He saved me. 

And then he saved me everyday after that. 

When I sprained my ankle...

When I had strep throat...

When I didn't win the school talent show...

When my first grade teacher and I didn't see eye to eye

And he was always there...

for all my ball games

award ceremonies

when I needed someone to talk to 

to cry to

He was everything I hope to be in a parent. He never failed me. Even when he was sick and I wanted to practice hitting the softball, he got out of bed and pitched for me. Even when I was difficult and unruly, he stood up for me and defended me. I am the person I am today, because he loved me. 

I had the best daddy a girl could ask for and trust me, I am not being bias, so I wanted to wish him a Happy Father's Day in heaven. I wish there were words for how much you did for me. I wish there was some way to say thank you and just how much I love you... and more importantly I wish I had found those words while you were still here on Earth. 

Happy Father's Day, Daddy!