Dear Daddy

Dear Daddy,
Even though I think of you each and every day, this past weekend the memory of you was especially heavy on my heart. I couldn't help but replay in my mind the events of those days 7 years ago - when you went home. Still to this day I remember every detail, from the phone call from Sherrie telling me that contact had been lost with your plane, to my middle of the night ride home to Jacksonville to await any news, to that endless day at the airport waiting... and waiting... and waiting, to the dreaded news that you had died when your plane went down, to the beautiful sunset as I left the airport to go home to a home that was now seemingly empty... I don't think I will ever forget a single moment.
But even though the events surrounding your death are forever burned in my memory, your life is even more so. I will never forget your love of family.
We never doubted for a second that we were your first priority! (Second only to Jesus.)

You loved to go camping,

and really to travel just about anywhere.

I miss how you loved any sport, from bowling (the thought of how serious you were about it, down to your special ball, shoes, glasses, and gloves, still makes me laugh)

to football - rain or shine - especially the Jaguars and Seminoles.

The thought of how your dream to be a U.S. Senator never came true still saddens me - you would have been perfect for the job!

Your work was so important to you as well, and you were so good at what you did.

I definitely think of you the most at this time of year, not only because of the anniversary but even more so because of your love of the holidays. I can only hope that I can one day make Christmas as special and exciting for my family as you did! And it wasn't just because of the gifts. You were just so excited about what the holiday meant, and that excitement was contagious. I can still hear you talking about the "good news of Jesus"!

And, of course, there was your love of flying. I love this picture of the plane that eventually took you home to Jesus, because of who is in it: those were families that you volunteered your time and your plane to take to a hospital for some necessary treatments.

I wish so much that you were here! I know you would love Chris and Mark and the new baby as much as I do - I wish with all of my heart that you had been able to meet them!! I wish that I could call you up to talk about what is going on in our lives, or to ask your advice, or to plan our next visit. I wish I could come home and get a bear hug. I wish I could hear you call me "sweetie doodle" again. I wish I could be around for a family meal. I wish I could hear you singing LOUDLY in church on Sunday. I wish I could hear one of your corny jokes... and one of your prayers.

But, all of that wishing is only selfish. Because I know that if given the choice, you would not come back - you are standing face to face with your first love, Jesus Christ! How amazing that must be! And, because of what you taught me, even though my heart aches because I am separated from you, I have the confidence of knowing that separation is only temporary. One day I WILL get to see you again! I WILL get to fill you in on all of the details of my life. I WILL get to feel one of your hugs again. I can't wait for that day!

Daddy, I miss you so much - more every day. Thank you for everything. I love you, Daddy. Oh, how I love you!