Dear Child of Mine

This is a copy of an article my Daddy D wrote. I am not sure of the date or year but I know one thing, I was a child of his.

"It is fairly late Father's Day night and I am re-reading the cards and remembering the hugs,kisses,hands shaken, pats, and "happy Father's Day I got from my children and grandchildren today. The house is quiet and it is a special time for me. And in the quietness, the words spoken by the character, Dr. Oahlander, "I've lived long enough to see my children grow up to be not only people I love but, people for whom I am very, very proud." takes on an even more special meaning than they did the last time I thought of them. Having six children you can very very, very proud of is a blessing indeed.

That's why I'm writing them this letter:

Dear Child of Mine,
On this Father's Day I want you to know I'm thankful to our heavenly Father first,for the privilege of having you as my own. Being your daddy means everything to me. I remember, as though it were yesterday, the first time I saw you. I also remember how surprised I was to find out that those people who kept saying Oh, what a pretty baby! were looking at you, too. But, by the time they let me hold you-- in those days daddies could look but they were not allowed to touch until you were practically half grown--you were beginning to look pretty good. Then, after holding you that first time well...I was hooked for life.

When you were a baby, whether it was by rocking, walking, singing, dribbling or spinning around in the chair, I always enjoyed getting you to sleep. This is nothing quite so mind-settling and peaceful as having your own baby go to sleep in your arms. You gave me a lot of mind-settling, peaceful moments. And, as you might imagine, there were literally thousands of other moments in your childhood that made me feel just as warm inside. I'm grateful for every one of them.

But now you are grown--or at least, nearly grown, too big to rock, walk,sing, dribble or spin around to sleep and too big to think of and treat as a child, So, in that sense our relationship has had to change. But the bond is still there: and loving you and being proud of you and being your daddy means everything to me.

Thanks for today: it was special. Thanks for every day: you help your mother to make them special too.
Love always,
Daddy

P.S. 17X36 shirts,40 inch slacks, and black socks"


What a legacy Daddy D left for us to fill. It was a privelege to be counted as one of his.