Bouncing down the tall stairs
Hazel eyes and short blonde hair
Daughter, the first of two
She looked up to you
Mama’s girl was so small
Not like her dad at all

Daddy liked to fish, hunt and hike
Kayak, canoe and mountain bike
She liked all the little girl things
Barbies, crayons and trampolines

Today I sit in your old kayak and gear
And think about us as if you were still here
I wish we could do all these things together
Now we’re the same, but you never got better

In and out of hospitals all the time
Still we all thought that you would be just fine
No answers, no cure and little treatment
But you had hope in the discouragement

Time has passed and you’ve been missed greatly
I realize now just how much you gave me
Your stubbornness, determination and drive
Your deep love and passion of all things outside

Dad, so many things we could do
I want to be back there with you
On the water with that kayak
But nothing will bring those days back

So many things you’ll miss
Stories of my first kiss
Frightening my prom date
Seeing me graduate
Walking me down the aisle
Tearing up all the while

Dad, you are loved and you are missed.

hand in hand and two bright lights
moving through the calm night
leaves lit by the moon
hoping to find water soon
an eerie calm
loosely clasped palms
a sudden hesitation
and running imaginations
whispering with you
over a noise or two
a light disappeared
slight unacknowledged fear
****** rising
emotions heightening
a disturbance in the leaves
a tighter hold, a startled scream
you called my name
two large ears hopped away
laughter ensued
steps continued
the destination seen piece by piece
place to rest and regain peace
a rushing water found
feet slowly moving with arms around
to an unheard beat
water and rock beneath our feet
under the flecks of stars through trees
perfect night with you next to me

“Child, you believe in words but not in Mine.
Friends, family, everyone, all the time.
Why do you listen to the world out there?
I created you, saved you; you were spared.

Dearest, I have written you a letter
Explaining to you My voice is better
I defeated sin on a wooden cross
Laid My life down there and covered the cost

My words are truth, bring life and call out lies.
Why do you disobey just out of spite?
Remember My forgiveness and My grace
It seeks, reaches, covers every place

Devour My letter, rely on Me,
Your Heavenly Father will set you free.”

Dad, I miss you the most on days like these.
God has brought my future husband to me.
I wish you could meet him; you’d bond I know.
In a year or so, down the aisle we’ll go.

I love him; I know you would love him too.
He’s an outdoor lover, dad, just like you.
He seeks the Lord Jesus and loves Him first.
My little heart feels like it just might burst.

I miss you, you know and I always will.
You are the only one that place could fill.
In the sadness, immense joy I have found.
In my Heavenly Father love abounds.

I’d be lost and lonely and feeling bare,
But the Lord Jesus is always right there