The most cherished gift a father can give to his daughter is delivered through daily example.  It provides a young girl with an identity and sense of self that will follow her throughout her life.  Faith, love, and music filled my childhood.  Strength, courage, respect and acceptance molded my character.  To this day, my father always makes me feel safe, special, and worthy. 

As the only daughter of five children, he has never isolated me, but instead, continuously embraces me.  My father always greets me with a smile, a gentle kiss, and a hug.  His tenderness never falls victim to any burdens he might be experiencing.  He patiently listens to my opinions as if they are the most important words ever spoken.  My father has a way of making all things right, and his generosity has no boundaries.  Whether it is a compliment when I feel down, financial support when I get into trouble or someone to share my happiness and sorrows with, he is always there for me. 

Since childhood, I have always had these grand dreams of someday repaying him.  I want to take care of him, listen to his problems, help him financially, or in some way, ease his burdens and responsibilities.  I long to return his gifts and I endlessly search for a way to thank him for his love and devotion to our family.

Several years ago, in early October, my mom passed away from cancer.  She was a beautiful and unique person with a sweet and gentle soul.  Her loss was devastating to our family.  I was staying with my father, too sad to return to my own home, yet almost too sad to stay.  Each night, as I lay awake in the guestroom, the darkness engulfed me.  It was in those telling hours that I would experience my father's deepest despair.

My dad was unaware that his cries of pain, loneliness, and sorrow echoed through the walls, and I never discussed it with him.  I knew talking about it would only add to his grief.  He is a man of faith and he didn't doubt my mother's salvation, instead his tears were for our family as much as they were for himself.  However, each morning when we met in the kitchen for coffee, his strength seemed to return.  Even in his sorrow, my father gave me a gift.  His pride, dignity, and love helped me to cope with the devastating loss of my mom, just as his pride, dignity, and love helped me to develop into the woman that I am today and provided me with the tools necessary to cope with life's unexpected curves.

Perhaps now more than ever, I long to return the favor.  Just once, I want to be the one to comfort him and make him feel special.  However, the most that I can pray for is that in some small way, I am like my father.  I pray that I can pass onto my son the same gifts my father has so unselfishly given to me, love, faith, respect, courage, and strength.  He is my father, my teacher, my hero, my goal.

Daddy

Gentle touching lessons

Without condemnation

The sweetest perfection

My father’s soul

I pale in comparison

Striving to your level

My father

My teacher

My hero

My goal