The Long Run: For Daddy

For the past two years I've missed my Dad's birthday and Father's Day. It's a tragedy really. I tried to post this photo with a few words on Instagram, but my dad deserves so much more. As proven by the previous several blogs I've written about him. 

A dad is every child's hero; if they're lucky enough to have a great one. 

I have loads of "father figures" in my life, but I've only ever needed one. It's always broken my heart to see friends who aren't close to their parents. On the other hand, some parents and children are too close, but that's another story.

In my previous blog, I was headed back to Louisiana for a few weeks to a new house. And just as I'd predicted, as soon as I walked in and dropped my suitcase it was home. It was full of all the things that had always made it home. Sure the hallway paths were different, the rooms opposite and the backyard was a lake, but it was home. The years of family photos my mom is religious about displaying still line the hallways and shelves. All of my grandmother's, great grandmother's and Mrs. Fraiser's cabinets are still in the kitchen. Mom's China is still in a shelf collecting dust. And dad's drums still sit in a room full of Dallas Cowboy memorabilia and enough records and CDs to open a music store. 

It was home. 

Today is Father's Day. All holidays nowadays are unforgettable thanks to social media. And I don't think we forget our parents except for Mother's and Father's Day. I know I sure don't. There are days I would literally die without my parent's guidance, and I live thousands of miles away. 

I do however believe that as much as I love and need my parents I put them on the back burner. I think we all do at this age. We're dating, our friends are getting married, people are having babies. There's always a shower or graduation or party to attend. Parents get it because they were our age once, too. But that doesn't mean they like it. 

In previous visits home I remember fighting with my mom about to spending enough time with them. I get it now why it upset her. This trip home I told my mom from the beginning I wasn't interested in big parties and hooplas about my returning; I simply wanted to see my family. 

The plan when I was in Louisiana was to mow, tan and fish. Well, it rained 88% of the days I was home so it was hard to do any of the above. However, as long as the rain wasn't accompanied by thunder and lightning, Daddy was standing in the backyard throwing a line. 

When Daddy isn't breakin' his back workin', you can find him fishin'. I often take for granted the time we spend fishing because if I'm not hookin' any, I get bored. Daddy works and works to find a honey hole too so we can keep fishing. I realize now how precious the few days we spent fishing were when I was home. 

Every time I fish with Daddy I think about Trace Adkin's, "She Thinks We're Just Fishin'" song. Because it really is always more than that, isn't it? Changing the oil in the car when it's 102 in Louisiana in July is more than just an oil change. Watching TV re-runs of Cheers and Seinfield is more than watching TV. Playing cards with my mom and G in the kitchen why Daddy practices his drums is more than just another night at home. You can see where I'm going with this. I'm not talking about bonding or the memories of it all, just think deeper than what it all appears to be on the surface. 

Eternity wouldn't be enough time to go fishin' with my Daddy, and I can say living abroad has taught me to cherish even the smallest of moments. But we shouldn't have to be separated to remember how much they love us. Don't forget about the ones who raised you. You'll always need them. Always. 

The thing I've learned to love most about Daddy is when he knew I was unhappy in our hometown. Dad's kind of psychic. We never talk about too personal of things because I'm his little girl and he's my daddy, ya know? But I'll never forget when he told me if I hated it there to leave. To this day I know that was painful.

I know that it takes him every ounce of fear and pain to put me on a plane or send me away each time I leave again. 

I take after my dad in many ways, and for each one I'm thankful, even the bad habits and genes I inherited. I love every bond we share together and although I can't remember every moment, I have millions stored away. I'm writing this to ask you all to remember your family every day. Don't get wrapped up in this crazy, busy life.