My daughter was so excited to share this evening with her dad. She picked out a lovely dress, which was a gift (hand me down) from her cousin. SO proud to wear a dress which belonged to her older cousin. Honored to wear it!
We spent the day enjoying one another, starting with a game of basketball, making a snowman, a mani-pedi by mom and many many curls wrapped in her hair ~ my goal, to share the blessing of her excitement and to embrace the gift of being apart of making her feel like a little princess!
My sweet girl knew I wanted to make the day special for her, she thanked me a number of times for things I'd done, or said, or we'd shared. So grateful. So sweet.
What my precious girl didn't know, a piece of me ached all day long as we celebrated the relationship she has with her dad. Such a gift to have him in her life, to share, to encourage, to love, to support. She is truly a "daddy's girl". What she wouldn't do to make sure her dad is happy!
I lost my dad when I was five. I never experienced the joy of sharing such moments, of looking forward to an event with him, traditions, sharing or otherwise. What I do have are scattered memories here and there that come to me at times and seem so very clear and vivid... it is almost as God has handed me a memory to remind me. For which I am grateful. I recall a conversation once with a councilor. We were talking about childhood memories, for which there are some that are so very clear, as though they just took place and others, I have no recollection. I asked once how I could possibly remember something from when I was five or younger. He replied, because it is all you have, so you hold on to it that tightly. And I would agree.
Tonight as I sit and wait for my daughter to get home, I'm so grateful for the relationship she has with her father. The memories they are making and the day to day events that seem so taken for granted, but for which I know, one day she will look back on and remember.
I'm thankful for the many photos I have to share with her, with them, of the both of them sharing life. There is a bond between a father and a daughter that can not be matched.
Tonight as I sit here, I'm also grateful for the relationship I have, with my Heavenly Father. Who is near, nurturing, loving, supporting and encouraging me along the way. So grateful for the blessing of faith, a daughter I adore and a dad who loves her!