evagabourel

Dad,
You are a great man. We haven’t always seen eye to eye and while there are things that we wish could be re-written, it is not our business to dwell on the past.
Sometimes I get mad at you for not taking better care of yourself but I try not to stay mad at you for too long because I know you are doing the best you can. But know too that I know what it feels like to almost lose you and I want to keep you with me for as long as God permits.
I know it cannot have been easy to lose a wife and daughter within a nine-months span. And then having to face raising another teenage daughter on your own along with a mentally disabled son, must have surely been overwhelming to say the least.
We are not perfect but we have built a solid father-daughter relationship that works and for all the things you do that make me mad (you know what they are) you do a hundred other things that make me proud of you.
You are strong and you are kind. You are tough but you have a soft and loving heart. Soft hearts are one of my favorite characteristics in people, if not the most important. You have done a hell of a job taking care of Edward when I moved out and I don’t give you enough credit for it. Great job daddy!
Just as I would do anything for you, I know that you too would do anything for me. As a child and even now in some ways, I’ve always felt that you could protect me from anyone or anything. My daddy, my protector! Knowing that you’re in my corner makes me strong and fearless. That is the true measure of a man and you exceed my expectations.
I think it’s so true what they say…that a little girl never grows up in her daddy’s eyes. It makes me smile but it really touches my heart when you worry about me if I’m taking a drive to anywhere further than work, or if I get on an airplane, or if you don’t get to see or hear from me everyday. I don’t always say it, but it really does mean a lot to me that you worry about me too. At the same time you can be sure that you raised a confident, capable and independent woman who in many ways mirrors your strong character, so you don’t have to worry so much.
Another personality trait that I’m SURE I inherited from you is your sense of humor. I enjoy a good tease and a good joke. And I give as good as I can take. I find humor in almost everything and a big loud bellow of laughter from deep down in my soul is a must, each day.
Thanks dad, for being such a great and wonderful part of my life. Sometimes life gets too busy that we don’t tell the people we love how much they mean to us and I’m very guilty of that. I know it shows in my actions but sometimes you just need to hear it said out loud. I remember as a child, that Mommy raised us to always kiss you and her goodnight and say “I love you.” We haven’t done that in a while but today on Father’s Day here’s a big hug, kiss and “I love you” for your heart from mine.
I love you daddy! Happy Father’s Day!