Lessons with Lize: Part III

Daddy's little girl.

Sometimes
you wish you could always stay little.

Because it's okay
for little girls
to climb onto Daddy's lap
and cuddle up nice and close
to his heart.

But when you're eighteen,
you don't fit quite as nicely.

So instead
you cuddle up real close
next to him
and watch Harry Potter 7
part 1.
And you absolutely love
those times with Daddy.
Even though
he's getting a little bit older
and has to ask
"What did they say?"
so many times.

Daddy:
I'll repeat what they said for you.
I love you, Daddy.

Sometimes
you wish you could always stay little.

Because when you're small,
he'll sweep you off your feet
when the tears stream

down your little red face. And with one hug,
he makes it all better.
With one tickle fight,
the sad, wet eyes vanish
and are replaced with
happy, wet eyes.
Or when you'd fall asleep upstairs
because you try to stay up
like a big kid
just so you won't miss anything important.
But your eyes slowly become heavy.
And without complaint, Daddy effortlessly
lifts your frail, tiny body and softly
carries you to bed. Sealed with a kiss on the head.

But when you're eighteen,
you weigh a little too much
for Daddy's tired back to handle.

So instead,
he'll hold you in his big, safe arms
and let you cry.
He'll offer calming words of advice
when you're stressed or anxious.
His jokes still make you laugh
to the point of tears.
He's a good bud to have.
His dance moves are prime
and his stank face is serious competition.
His tears {the happy ones} make your heart sing
and leap for joy
that you did something good enough
to make him proud.

Daddy,
I love being your baby girl
and your "Pumpkin".
I love being your
"Lou Boo" and your
"Daughter of the Year"
(Sorry siblings. I had to.)

Daddy,
I'll miss when you drive me to dance
and tell me to point my feet
and dance pretty, just for you.
When I'm having a bad day,
I'll miss your welcoming hugs,
the safest ones I've ever known.
I'll miss your jokes
that, despite what Mother thinks,
are actually really funny.
Even when I make my mocking laugh at you.
I'll miss sitting by you at church
and resting my head on you
when the meeting goes long
or when I eat wheat and get very sleepy
or when I don't feel well.

But, Daddy, I look forward
to driving with you to college slash work
everyday.
And we'll still be movie buddies.
And you can still come watch me dance.
And I can still hold you and feel you breathe
and hear your heartbeat.
I am a lucky girl, Daddy, because some girls
like me don't have a dad that they can call their own.

But I do.

I love you Father.