From a Father’s Heart to His Daughter

Dear daughter,

If the day ever comes when my mind begins to slip, when faces seem unfamiliar and memories fade like an old photograph, promise me one thing. Sit with me. Take my hand. Talk to me like you always have, and remind me of the love we shared.

Tell me about the first time I held you in my arms, how my big clumsy hands trembled because you were so tiny and perfect. Remind me of the way your laughter filled our home, how you could light up a room faster than any lamp ever could.

If I ask who you are, do not let your heart break. Just smile and tell me you are the little girl who once thought her dad could fix anything, even the monsters under her bed. Remind me how proud I was of you, every scraped knee you pushed through, every tear you shed, every dream you chased with all your heart.

Show me our photos, but do not stop there. Tell me the stories behind them. Describe how you looked in your graduation gown and how I cried like a baby behind my sunglasses, pretending it was just allergies. Talk about our camping dance parties and the terrible dad jokes I used to tell that somehow made you laugh (or roll your eyes) anyway.

And if I seem lost or my heart feels heavy, do not try to explain. Just hold me close. Let your hug remind me of the love I gave and the love I received. If my mind can no longer hold our memories, I hope you will carry them for both of us.

Because even if I forget, one thing will never change. I was, and always will be, your dad. And loving you and your sister were the greatest joy of my life.