I am a Daddy’s girl, and have been since before birth! I even rushed my entrance into this world when Daddy came home to my Mama, 2 weeks before her due date and said *I have orders to Vietnam*. Apparently, I wasn’t *About * to let him leave for a year away in a war zone without at least a hello and a kiss Goodbye- so I was born 24 hours later! After his year overseas, which included earning a purple heart along with a short stay in a hospital in Yokuska, Japan- a result of a bullet bouncing around in a helicopter “till it hit something” (His leg), several months of surgery and recovery- and an adventurous trip with my Mama to Japan to visit- we were reunited. As an aside, can I just say that the Japanese LOVE blonde haired, blue eyed babies, almost as much as my Daddy did~ I got spoiled ROTTEN!
Those were busy days- In the Marines (Semper Fi!), you had overseas tours, and stateside tours- which included 6 month cruises with the Navy; So even *home time* included a lot of time away. When Daddy left for his second tour in Vietnam, I was about 3 and I was already my Daddy’s biggest fan- he was my Hero. When he left, I was given a framed black and white picture of him, with a slight grin, dressed in a flight suit, in front of an OV-10 (a plane). I carried it everywhere- proudly showing it to anyone who would stop long enough to look. I would point to the handsome Black haired, Brown eyed pilot and say *That’s My Daddy!* with the glowing, limitless pride of a little girl. Just over a year later, when he returned from overseas- I was still proudly sharing my *Daddy* with anyone who would look, and this handsome stranger with a booming deep bass voice was just that- a stranger…And sadly- I know it broke his heart- because in my childish mind- I had carried my Daddy with me every day. I had to get to know this tall, imposing, striking stranger. The turning point for him was one night when I was doing something I wasn’t supposed to (I know- me- the little angel—in TROUBLE?? LOL!), and he looked at me and calmly said *Miki, No*. I looked at him, my eyes widening to the point that they were two bottomless wells of blue as I put my hands behind my back, covering my bottom, shaking my hand over and over as I softly repeated *No, no, no, no*- as I backed into a corner, still shaking my head- and just stopped in that corner- looking up at him in complete fear. Even to this day, when my Daddy tells that story, a shadow fleetingly flashes across his face- and I can see that it took a little piece of his heart away when that happened. But for us, it was the beginning of a *face t0 face* relationship…again.
When Daddy would walk in the house…first, he kissed Mama, and scooped me up~ and after kisses and hugs, Daddy would change clothes and then sit in his favorite chair…and it was only a matter of seconds before I was claiming my throne - right in his lap! Sitting there, snuggled into his arm, leaning on his chest, was my favorite place to be! My Daddy’s lap was a place where I knew I was loved, secure, safe, and surrounded not only by his strong arms, but by the knowledge that sitting there, nestled in his arms~ I was in a place of complete love, protection, tenderness and strength. Thru the years, he was encouraging, proud, understanding, a great listener~ I knew that he respected me and I adored and respected him. And although he didn’t always agree with every choice I made as I got older and started making those major life decisions without him- He made it very clear that as long as I was willing to live with the consequences of my decisions, he would be there to support them. From the Grade School thru the teenage chaos years, and the times I tried every ounce of patience he had, he could be stern, and even a little scary- but I knew I could still seek sanctuary, redemption and unconditional love by curling up in Daddy’s Lap, and snuggling in his arms…and for both of us, during those few moments, all the frustrations of life would slip away.
Once I left home, those opportunities to shut out the world by sitting in my favorite seat became scarce- and more precious. When I came home for my first visit after getting married and stationed overseas…the first picture my Mama took was of me…Beaming with a smile that came from the tips of my toes…as I plopped down in Daddy’s recliner, right after HE sat in it! Even tho I was a grown woman, Daddy’s lap was still a perfect fit! And bless his heart…he even was smiling when I would settle on his lap, tummy rounded with the granddaughters he was preparing to spoil, and he was comforting, funny, loving and encouraging. I have been blessed with a lifetime of love and laughter in Daddy’s lap.
But as I have grown, and watched my girls’ grow up; I think the biggest blessing in my life is that I still have him. Daddy’s Birthday is June 19, so every few years, his birthday and Father’s Day are one and the same. This happens to be one of those years. I am keenly aware of so many friends and loved ones who have lost their Dad’s, their advisors, their confidants, their comforters, their Rocks…a piece of the foundation of their life is broken- the foundation is there- but part of the strength that they built their life on is missing…and I cannot imagine that. And I don’t want to. So for now, I will be taking this June 19 and Celebrating my favorite spot, and the man I admire the most. The man who taught me to love God and fear him (and yes, that him applies both to God *and* Daddy!), but most of all- to work hard and love those around me with my whole heart, holding nothing back. I am blessed to still be able to hear his deep resonant voice, and feel the love as his arms engulf me. I will wish a Happy Birthday on this Father’s Day to the most amazing man I have ever known, my hero, my rock, My Daddy. I love you.
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