Today is the 235th birthday of the United States Marine Corp, and by proxy - my father.
Dear old Dad left this earth twelve years ago, but he has never left my heart. He left behind a wonderful legacy of children and grandchildren, but most importantly he left behind his wisdom and knowledge for me to benefit from.
Dad was always the one I turned to when I had a problem or dilemma. He was a great sounding board and always left you with food for thought from an angle that you hadn't considered. He had a talent for simplifying what at first seemed to be the most complicated issues. He was my pillar and my guide.
When we found out that Dad was dying and his time left on this earth would be very short, we were all upset. It was odd to speak to someone about there own imminent death and get their input. To grieve with the soon to be deceased was a gift that I will never forget.
I said to Dad, "I don't know how to live without you. You are my pillar, you are my support, my shelter in a storm and that steady constant in my life. Even though I am grown, it always comforts me to know that you are there".
Dad replied to me, "No. You haven't needed me in years. You have Mr. W. he is your support, pillar and best friend. He is the one you have depended on for years. He is your comfort and your partner in life, just as it should be. You will miss me, but you replaced me with your husband long ago."*
This gave me comfort and put everything into perspective. He was right and only then did I realize that I was the last person to recognize that this morph had happened years prior. Dad was still an important part in my life and I loved him, but he hadn't been the shelter that I would run to in an eon.
So yes, I miss Dad and think of him often, but I have survived and thrived just fine for more than a decade without him. Most of all, I just want to wish him a Happy Birthday, on this his 2nd birthday of the year.
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