When you are Daddy's Girl

  

me and my dad, Don Ellis, June 1960

I was the firstborn of four.

I was the only female.

I was Daddy's girl.

me, June 1961

He loved me.

He spoiled me.

He was my fierce protector.

me and my daddy before my wedding
August 6, 1977

We had some difficult, estranged years. But our relationship found healing, restoration and wholeness. I was a priority in his life. It was not unusual, after we moved to KY, for him to drive 5 hours to see me, spend a couple of hours visiting over a cup or two of coffee and turn around and drive home the same day. One time he came while the kids were in school and left before they got home. They were not happy and let him know how they felt, in no uncertain terms, so after that he always stayed at least long enough to spend a few minutes with them. Planned trips were for the weekends and he always brought the kids chocolate milk, it comes from the brown cows, and glazed donuts he'd mixed with his toes. He was a good grandpa.

My daddy has been gone 17 years, 8 months.

daddy Bill has been gone 11 years 11 months,
Bill has been gone 6 years, 10 months.

I received priceless gifts from each one of them.

My dad gave me the courage to try again:

"If it doesn't work the first time, try a different way."

Daddy Bill loved me like I was one of his birthed children,

and he wasn't afraid to give me a bear hug and say "I love you".

My Bill was the father of my favorite six people on this earth.

I remember stressing over finding the perfect gift and card for these men. I rejoice that they are in a place where they have received the perfect gift because they are with God and it doesn't get any better than that, but I wish I'd spent the last few weeks frantically looking for gifts. I miss those relationships. 

Regardless of how long you have, 

there is never enough of it with people you love.