DADDY'S GIRL

            Father’s listen up, you brides too, because this article is for a select few. I will always be a daddy’s girl even though my father pasted away over 5 yrs. ago. You women” who have always been a daddy’s girl will know exactly what I mean. A daddy’s girl is a daughter who was the apple of dad’s eye and because of that she thought her dad “hung the moon.” No matter how small a man her daddy was, a daddy’s girl knew her dad always had her back. She had the assurance that daddy would always catch her when she fell.

A dad teaches his daughter so many things and because a daddy’s girl admires him so, she is a quick learner. Daddy took the words to Sinatra's signature song, "Have It Your Way!" literally and lived it!  He walked to the beat of that tune and taught me to “be myself, no matter what!” and “to be true to you!”  He also gave me the confidence to believe I could be whatever I wanted to be.  This hope has given me the wings to fly through life’s tough spots and to climb every mountain life presents.  Lastly, he taught me to do little things greatly and to do great things with grace and ease.

Maybe those life lessons began to take route the day of my kindergarten graduation ceremony.  We were running late. As my mom got my younger siblings out of the car, dad took my hand and we sped toward the auditorium.  I secured my cap with my hand as sprinted, all the while trying not to trip over my white graduation gown.  As I neared the door, I was shocked to see that my classmates had proceeded in and were already seated on the stage. A tear ran down my face, I was sad that I had missed the moment. Daddy knew just what to do.  He always did!  He gave me an encouraging nod and said,” Ellen, go on up there! Go get on that stage!” Those words gave me the confidence I needed, as I processed in with boldness and pride up onto the stage, all alone but unafraid. I found my seat among the graduation class and my sadness turned to joy! As my name was called and I walked up to received my kindergarten diploma.

My dad never tried to be a square peg in a round hole.   No, not my dad!  He never bent or ever blended. He was comfortable in his own skin and lived life as himself.  As a daddy’s girl, I learned to sing in the rain, dance though the storms of life and never apologize for being different. If daddy was the driver the radio was always on and we sang with one another loudly, with all our hearts. A frequent tune was the song, “High Hopes!”  It was about an ant that thought he could not move a rubber tree plant but because of his high hopes he was able to do it. This was a lifelong theme song making defeat, disappointment, and discouragement never an option. High hopes were deeply planted in my soul and took me air born as a Stewardess at just nineteen, even though too young and way too short. High hopes flew me through
the airwaves as a radio and television speaker. High hopes gave me the lift and drive to view life as an adventure, and what a ride it has been!

Daddy’s girls never doubt they are loved and trust is rarely an issue for them. The security of their daddy’s love plants firm, strong roots of trust automatically into their hearts. To her, daddy is a giant of a guy, somewhat of a super hero wearing an invisible cape who protects her from all harm. She faces life confident and unafraid.  This is a gift cannot be duplicated.  A wise father will strive with all his heart to make all his daughters’ daddy’s girl.

I never felt more like my Daddy’s Girl than on my wedding day.  We gathered together, family and friends from all around the country, at Key Biscayne, Florida at sunset by the ocean. The view was breath taking as the groomsmen rolled out the white carpet, and the bridesmaid processed down the aisle.  Daddy once again, was my escort, just like on that kindergarten graduation day so long ago. This time I took his arm instead of his hand. All the butterflies left me as we processed down the aisle. This time daddy got me to the monumental occasion on time. It seemed like a lifetime, waiting for the wedding day to arrive. I was so ready to marry the man of my dreams. I felt so safe, so proud, and so loved as we processed together toward my groom with the backdrop of the ocean blue. It was picture perfect.  As daddy looked me in the eyes he smiled and said, “Ellen, where is the music.” Our picture perfect wedding day could have been shattered, but as always daddy knew just what to do. Without skipping a beat he began to sing, “Don, don, da, don…don, don, da, don…”  Joy overtook my heart as I joined in the melody with him and squeezed his arm. Daddy always brought the music and the high hopes.

When we reached my groom, dad proudly placed my arm in Patrick’s and a calming peace took over my heart and I knew everything was going to be all right.  Being Daddy’s girl had somehow prepared me to be Pat’s wife. I knew Pat be a man that I could love and trust, a man I could count on to have my back. He like daddy would always catch me if I fell.  As the sun set over the horizon and we exchanged our “I do’s,” I felt my groom hung the moon!

For my dad, an artist, "Life was like an empty canvas!” so ladies paint your life any way you want!"