Daddy

Daddy,

I've missed you so much, Dad. I Just want to let you know how things are down here on Earth.

Well, first of all, I've graduated! You would've hated the ceremony, but you would have loved watching me graduate. It was over a hundred degrees that day, and I know that the heat was your least favorite thing about Oroville. You would have been grouching in the stands the whole time. But you definitely wouldn't have missed it. I wonder what you would've gotten me for graduation? You were never a good gift giver... (Mom only needs SO many bath robes...). You might've just given me money, or maybe something for college? I bet if you were here, I wouldn't be driving around a silly little Honda Accord, you would've hooked me up! And taught me how to master stick shift.

These days I wonder what you would think about a lot of the things I've done and am doing. What would you think of Biola? Would you be upset that it's so far away? Would be as excited as I am? You'd let me take my car down even if Mom doesn't want me to. Maybe I'd have your old pick-up? I loved that truck. What would you think about my major and future career choice? Would you ever read my blog? I remember that you liked reading, but only if it was about cars and trucks, so I'd probably have to coax you to read it:) I remember you liked doing Sudoku puzzles with me, I wonder how many we would have done by now? Would you like all my friends? I don't even have to ask if you'd like Sam, she's amazing and you two would have gotten along great. You'd definitely like Frankie and Devin and Tweedt because they like cars and stuff too. You would've liked Jordan and Trevor and Sydnee, and everyone. Lexi would probably be your favorite, she's most like me, but darker. I don't know how they would feel about you though, especially the boys, because you used to scare a lot of my friends. I don't mean this in a bad way, but face it Dad, you can be pretty scary sometimes. I say that with love though.

What would you say about my high school experience? I know that if you were around for it, I wouldn't have dated my freshman year. And when I got my heart broken after my first "serious" relationship, you would've been there to fix it, and to fix him... On second thought, it's probably a good thing that you didn't get a chance to "talk" to him. I remember you always liked the song "Cleaning This Gun". What would you say about all the scholarships I worked so hard to get?
Would you be helping me pay for college? I know that if you were here I wouldn't have gotten so much money from FASFA. You'd probably be pretty ticked off at the government for making school so expensive.

All I can say about Zach is that I know one hundred and twenty percent that you two would be best friends. He'd come over to our house to hang out with you, not me... What's that saying? A girl always falls for someone just like her father? Well, He's pretty close, Dad. You two would always be talking about cars, and trucks, and boats, and guns, and hunting, and fishing, and anything else you could think of. You'd be so proud of his decision to join the Marines. It would've taken you a while to warm up to him, I'm sure, but I don't think you'd mind having to share me with this man someday. Trust me Dad, he treats me like a princess. You always told me to find a guy who treats me with love and kindness, who treats me like what I am in your eyes, a princess.

You wouldn't be too happy with the state our country is in. I don't think you'd be pro-bama... but that's just a guess, I didn't pay too much attention to your political preferences when I was ten. I know you would've been pretty peeved at California for all the new gun laws though. I wonder if that would've made you want to move?

You'd be so proud of Max and the young man he's turned into. He does cross-country, and wrestling, and next spring he'll be doing baseball. He helps his Ag. teacher with his orchards and other work, gaining good experience. He's as tall as me now! Remember when he used to wear your boots and he looked so small? Not anymore! I hope he gets as big as you.

Mom has been so strong for me and Max, I often wonder how she manages working full time and taking care of us, single handedly! You married an amazing woman, but I'm sure you knew that.

Thank you Dad, for showing me the love that you did for the twelve years we got to spend together. I would be such a different person without you. I Love you so much Daddy.

Love, Your Pumpkin.

 "Bad things do happen; how I respond to them defines my character and my quality of life. I can choose to sit in perpetual sadness, immobilized by the gravity of my loss, or I can choose to rise from the pain and treasure the most precious gift I have- life itself." Walter Anderson

-Gracie