a tribute to my father

6 years ago yesterday, he was gone.  It was so sudden.  It was so difficult for so long.  6 years is a long time by itself, but I feel like I have lived an entire lifetime without him.

It has not been an entire lifetime though, and today I am very thankful for all that my father was for me.

My daddy was always goofy, and everything he did was play.  He was good at his day job, but he always wanted to design video games.  Super cool, right?  If he was around today, I know he would be proud.  He would be so happy that I always follow my dreams and that my purpose is to love others.  He would be sad that my passions take my away from the states, but he would visit if he could.  He would be so supportive of anything that makes me happy.

"If you're happy, I'm happy.  If you're sad, I'm sad."  He always said it, and I know he meant it.  My dad loved deeply.  I was always a princess; I was always daddy's little girl.  My favorite time of day was when my dad came home.  I ran to him.  We would ride his motorcycle to the beach and then walk along together, talking about everything you can think of.  I walked along the rail, but I was never afraid.  What bad could ever happen with him by my side?

Never again will my dad be there: not to joke around, not to give advice, and not to walk me down the aisle one day.  But there was a time that he was there, to swing me around, to dance, to play, and to hold my hand.  I will always cherish those memories, and I'll never forget.  My dad lives as a constant reminder to love the life you're in and be content in the relationships you have.  There will always be a relationship that someone else has that you don't, but you will always have something else that someone else doesn't.  Why get caught up in that?  You have who you have, so thank God for them.

While I am so grateful for my friends and family, I am the most grateful for my God, who incidentally possesses quite a many similar characteristics to my late father.  My Father is always there for me, loves me deeply, and walks along with me.  There is much more to be said, but sometimes less is more.

But my Father is King, and I really am a princess now.