daddy's girl

"There's something like a line of gold thread running through a man's words when he talks to his daughter, and gradually over the years it gets to be long enough for you to pick up in your hands and weave into a cloth that feels like love itself. " ~John Gregory Brown, Decorations in a Ruined Cemetery, 1994 






Dear Dad,


Its hard to imagine its been two years ago July 5th, that you passed on to your heavenly home.  I see myself perched on your lap on the old "pontoon."  We never had fancy.  We never did name brand, or expensive.  The cabin was rustic with an outhouse and all eleven cousins slept in a loft overhead.  I can still smell the sawdust that clung to you no matter how many times you washed.  You were undoubtedly fishing, and a can of Old Milwaukee is probably hovering somewhere nearby.  Its a wonder lake water doesn't course through my veins.  

I have a love of the simple things, just like you.  A rusty shovel, a tin can, the sun, the sand, and lake water lapping at my feet.  Ahh, bliss.

Who and what we love is clearly written on our faces.  My baby brother, Lee, must have been just a month old. 

So, just like we did two years ago, we all came together.  This past week, Lee came home with Kelly and Madi and Alex.  

The cousins picked up right where they left off.  They built forts out of grandma's blankets.  Went tubing  at the lake.  Ate Hawaiian pizza at Zorbaz.  Stayed up way past their bedtime, and laughed so hard their cheeks hurt.  

We told old stories.  Whispered about the things we hope our children will never find out we did.  We laughed.  Kelly cried.  Nobody wanted to leave.  

The kids all decided to go to The University of Minnesota and live in the same house some day.  Except Nolan. No way would he ever be a Gopher, not even for the love of his cousins.  

We took mom to church and filled up an entire pew- yep the back one, just like always.  And we pointed out all the things your hard working and skilled hands had made for the church.  The baptismal fount, the table that holds the guestbook, the information kiosk, etc.  Then we sat down with pastor Roger and discussed the stained glass artwork going on two wooden frames, made in memorial to you.  

Pastor Roger's sermon talked asked us to think about what we want people to remember about us.  Dad, I want them to remember, I am a Daddy's girl, who grew up to be just like you.  

This is a really big week.  I feel as though I am traveling at light speed through my days.  Today I have sedation at 1pm with an mri scheduled at 2 pm.  We will peek at my pesky brain blob and see if the zap we aimed at it took hold.  I will get results early Wednesday morning.  I'm taking my prayer list with me and if anyone would like to be included, please feel free to leave me a request here or in an email.  Blessings to you all...