My dad...

There's this connection between daddy's and their little girls. It always seems there's a special connection with moms and their boys, too but the daddy/daughter factor is a beautiful thing. I love my dad... he's always be been my hero and my knight in shining armor. He was my coach, my leader, my pastor... he's my daddy. He's been there for me even when I didn't realize that he was or care to pay attention.

Somewhere in the bustle of life, my dad and I kind of 'lost' a bit of our connection. The details aren't important, but the lesson from the story was most valuable. Instead of remembering the times my dad was there for me, I chose to pick out the one time I felt like he let me down. I forgot that he, too was in fact human. I guess a little part of me thought he was perfect. I knew God's grace was sufficient for me and that I needed that grace, why was my dad any different? I could deal with my screw ups (and there were many), but somehow I thought he wasn't allowed to screw up. I was quickly reminded that while I'm a girl in need of a Savior... my daddy was just another boy in need of a Savior.

Over the past couple of months my dad and I have had a chance to reconnect with one another. Day by day and moment by moment, we've gotten little bits of that relationship back that I took for granted. My Christmas at home was great and I felt like we were truly a 'family' again. Today I got an e-mail from him. It was so special to me and I sat here reading it with tears streaming down my face. I'd like to share a portion of that with you:

I am grateful for your direction upward and the drive outward. I know you can do anything. You have been special since your first breath. I will be praying for your quest and that your life be safe. I love you baby and miss you greatly. Keep your head up and see the floor. The open opportunities are always in the gap. love, Dad

Keep your head up and see the floor... those words make me smile! I remember him telling me that every time I hit the basketball court. The open opportunities are always in the gap... how true is this statement? While the pass is always the open opportunity in the gap, life's the same way. I have learned so many things from my dad and I continue to do so... just in a simple e-mail. I don't want to take my relationship with him for granted anymore. I don't want to have to move 1200 miles away to find out just how special he is to me. To have a dad that prays for you... and a dad that believes in you... it doesn't get much better than that!

Dads, remember every opportunity you have to pour into your daughter's life is a special moment in which she can learn from you... and she loves you and is proud of you... even when you lose your cool points! Daughters, remember to never forget to tell your daddy just how much he means to you... don't wake up having to lose him to find out just how special he really was.

My dad, my hero, my #1 coach forever... I love you and am so proud to call you MY daddy!