One more day

Did you see Oprah yesterday? Her show was about having one more day with someone you have lost. I find it ironic that her show was about that because today is the eleventh anniversary of when my dad passed.

For those of you who do not know, my dad died of cancer when I was nineteen. He fought it for almost two years but he eventually died. When I look back at that time now, I truly see God's hand in our lives.

I had a unique relationship with my dad. During my early childhood, I loved my dad and thought he was great. He pestered me a lot, but he was my dad and my hero. As I matured, I realized that my dad was an alcoholic and saw the effects it was having on my family. From about the 6th to 12th grade I began to distance myself from him and did not respect him very much.

For some reason, I don't know if it was maturity or divine intervention, I began to mend things with my dad my senior year. It was shortly after that decision that he was diagnosed. I spent the next two years trying to understand, love, and be with my dad. Thankfully, my dad did quit drinking and became a believer. By the time he died, he and I had created a father/daughter relationship full of memories that I am content with.

After watching the show yesterday and of course because of today, he has been on my mind. Yesterday, I thought if I had one more day, I would spend it with dad, Richard, and Matt. I would love to have a day where we all hang out, maybe fish together, and of course make a pecan pie (family joke). We would talk about his childhood, funny stories, and what's been going on the past 11 years. I know that he would love Richard and Matt; they all have the same zany humor. Actually, the three of them would probably drive me nuts! I would love that.

While sifting through old photographs this afternoon, I began to think of other questions and conversations for my dad. As I was looking at photos from the darkest parts of my family's life, I wondered what my dad would have to say about that time. The past 11 years I have always thought about things from my side and have never wondered what my dad was feeling. Did he realize how we felt? Did he feel the same? That time seemed so bleak and hopeless. Thankfully, God is merciful and kept us all in his hand.

Well, I don't want to end today on a sad note. I have chosen two photos that pretty much sum up my dad. Basically, he was a big kid. He loved having fun, telling jokes, and his kids.

This was taken five months before he passed. We took a trip to Galveston and made a lifetime of memories. The picture is hard to see, but of course he is making a silly face.

That's my brother Earnie in his baby bed. Like I said, my dad was a big kid. I have always loved this picture.