We didn’t always agree, but there was never one moment in my entire life when I doubted his love for me. The older I get and the more I see and hear, the more grateful I am for that.
It turned out that even though I didn’t think we had a lot in common, I adopted some of the traits that made me love and respect him so much, and that I hoped would make me a better person. I know he was flawed, because he was human. But time has made those flaws endearing, even humorous, and I like to think about them because they sometimes make me a little more patient with my own flaws.
I’ve never had to endure any confusion over how to be ethical or responsible or honest because I learned those things from him. I may not have always made the right choice, but I always knew the right choice. And on occasions in my life when I made choices he didn’t understand, he invariably said the same thing: You’re my daughter. I love you and support you.
Everyone should have an adult like that in her life. I was so blessed that I had one in my father.
Happy birthday, Daddy. I miss you.