Dear Dad,
I’m sitting down to write you a love letter. I’m sure that sounds strange, but let me explain. LOVE is my word for this year, it’s the word that will give my life focus and direction for the next 349 days. I can’t say I chose it, because I didn’t. It chose me, for a few reasons I understand, and many more that I’m sure I’ll discover as the year unfolds.
So I’m thinking about love, wondering about love, and talking about love. I’m feeling love, giving love, receiving love. I’m seeing love, testing love, immersing myself in the meaning of this word love. In so doing, I’m discovering that it’s everywhere. I can’t escape it, even if (and when) I want to!
In the grocery store today I saw this most adorable, plush and cuddly stuffed tiger. He’s got these long dangling arms with velcro on the paws, intended to wrap around your neck and give you a hug. As much as you LOVE tigers, I’m sure you don’t need one more stuffed feline in your house. So I walked past him twice, but just couldn’t resist the urge to pick him up and give him a big squeeze before I added him to my grocery cart!
The grocery store clerk casually tossed him into the bag with the bread, not realizing that she was being way too rough with my inanimate symbol of you. He was the first thing I unpacked when I finally carried the last load of groceries in from my car.
This silly little tiger evoked an overwhelming feeling of love for you. Standing in my pantry unpacking groceries, the thought hit me, do you know how much I love you?
I mean really know! Not just the “I’m your daughter and I’m supposed to love you” kind of love. But do you really know, both intellectually and in your heart, the depth of my love for you?
I lost all four of my grandparents suddenly, without an opportunity to say goodbye, without a final hug, without telling them how much I really loved them!
A love letter is not meant to be morbid, but the truth is, regardless of our age, we never know when our final day will be. The pain of my past, of losing so many that I loved without notice, inspired me to write you this love letter, to tell you NOW, so I know that you know, without question, how much I love you!
I love you to the moon and back
I love you when I see tigers
I love you as I eat Lay’s potato chips and onion dip…..or a late night bowl of ice cream
I love you when I sit in the same spot on my sofa that you always sit
I love you when I have a hammer in my hand
I love you when I watch the Steelers play
I love you when I think of Grandma
I love you every single time I try something new
I love you when I drink coffee
I love you when I fold the paper grocery store bags with perfection
I love you when I venture into the guest room and see your artwork hanging on the wall
I love you when the boys find a Star Wars movie on tv
I love you when I put my raincoat on
I love you when Ben or Peter speak your name, with a smile on their face
I love you when I hug you, and neither one of us lets go
I love you every day
I love you….
My love for you is so embedded in my everyday life, I can’t count how many times a day you cross my mind and I am reminded that I love you.
My love for you is pure! For me, there is nothing unfinished, nothing incomplete in our relationship. You are simply easy to love and so I do, with all my heart and soul!
with Joy, Gratitude & Love,
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