REMEMBERING POP


            From the beginning, my father was always there for me. He spilt tears of happiness whenever he held me in his arms. He carried me on his back and sometimes tossed me in the air. He caught me when I took my first steps and stumbled. He helped me color inside the lines and told me stories about Indians and the passage of time. He was the master chef who taught me how to make grilled cheese and spam sandwiches. He taught me how to put a minnow on a fishing line, toss it in Lake Lavon, and wait until the bobber sank under the surface of the water. He taught me how to tie my shoes and ride a bike. He sat with me by a campfire, told me stories, and set my spirit and imagination free.

On the first day of school, he held my hand and walked me to the front door. With tears in his eyes, he hugged me and gave me courage by saying, “You are my brave daughter. I love you.” When mother told me to ask for his permission, he would always say, “Go ask your mother.” He was there to sometimes lecture me and to prepare me for the unchartered waters called junior high. He put up with my teenage moods and my co-ed relationships. He approved, disapproved, accepted, and forgave. When I graduated from high school and college he gave me a bouquet of flowers. And when my name was called he stood proud, yelled, and clapped. 


          He embraced me and kissed me when I moved a thousand miles away knowing that once again he would have to let me go. He saw me become a working woman and later walked me down the aisle. Throughout the years, he watched me grow and deepen as did the lines on his face. He always welcomed me home and let me hug him and smell the smell I remembered from childhood—the warm, protecting, comforting smell of dad. He gave me a loving spirit, forged with his stubbornness, tenacity, patience, and integrity—all of which are an integral part of me still. But most of all, he was always there to love me. His spirit is with me now, and I hope to glean some wisdom from his memory. On this Father’s Day, I love and miss you, Pop!

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