Sunday, June 21, 2009

Daddy’s little girl…

Since I could talk, I was always "Daddy's Girl," or some variant of it.  Both of my parents are amazing and gave us beautiful lives, and both Nikki and I were very close to each of them, but for some reason or another... Nikki was always clinging to Mom and her blankie while I was proud to be independent ... well, aside from the hand that was always in Dad's.  Always.  I'd go as far out as I could, but not any further than Daddy's hand would reach. And rightfully so.  I was convinced I was going to marry him, why, I even told Mom about my plan and informed her of her need for new housing.  Yep, I was that itty bitty 4 year old you learn about in child psychology... if love was a handsome prince who did everything right and loved you back?  Well, it definitely had to be Daddy.  (Oh, and sorry, Mom...)

I'd go to all of Dad's business functions that I was allowed to when he was Chamber of Commerce President.  I starred in his company's commercials, and I smiled pretty for pictures hanging on his office wall.  Daddy told me I was his Cutie Pie.  He taught me about life, and he helped me learn right from wrong.  He was proud of me, and I was proud of him.  It worked out pretty well.  We did sand art at the fair, and we went for snow cones in the summer.  When I did something bad, after our "discussion," he'd tell me he still loved me and give me an "A&W Rootbeer Stand pass" or two.  That meant anytime I wanted, no matter what else was going on, I'd give him the pass and just the two of us had a date.  Yep, my dad was pretty cool.

So.... here we are, 20-some Father's Days later.  It's sad.  Bittersweet.  There is no more breakfast in bed, no more rag-tied curls with a bedtime story.  No more "Cinderfella" or trips to Disney on Ice.  No more of those endless driving lessons in the parking lot.  No more "cowgirl" or watching out the front window for Daddy's car to pull in.

No, with time, a lot of things fade away.  I'm so grateful for the memories, and I'm so grateful that sometimes after time creates absences, better things grow in their place.   Things like a lot more love, a much deeper trust, and the knowledge that no matter how bad I screw up, how terrible my day was, or what accomplishment I achieve, I have a big strong set of loving, guiding arms behind me.  Thanks, Dad.

She spins and she sways 
To whatever song plays
Without a care in the world
And I'm sitting here wearing
The weight of the world on my shoulders

It's been a long day
And there's still work to do
She's pulling at me 
Saying "Dad, I need you
There's a ball at the castle
And I've been invited
And I need to practice my dancing
Oh, please, Daddy, please?"

So I danced with Cinderella
While she is here in my arms
'Cause I know something the prince never knew
Oh, I danced with Cinderella
I don't wanna miss even one song
'Cause all too soon the clock will strike midnight
And she'll be gone

She says he's a nice guy and I'd be impressed
She wants to know if I approve of her dress
She says, "Dad, the prom is just one week away
And I need to practice my dancing
Oh, please, Daddy, please?"

So I danced with Cinderella
While she is here in my arms
'Cause I know something the prince never knew
Oh, I danced with Cinderella
I don't want to miss even one song
'Cause all too soon the clock will strike midnight
And she'll be gone

She will be gone

Well, she came home today with a ring on her hand
Just glowing and telling us all they had planned
She says, "Dad, the wedding's still six months away
But I need to practice my dancing
Oh, please, Daddy, please?"

So I danced with Cinderella
While she is here in my arms
'Cause I know something the prince never knew
Oh, I danced with Cinderella
I don't want to miss even one song
'Cause all too soon the clock will strike midnight
And she'll be gone 

{scc}