It was no secret. Anyone that spent a small amount of time with me knew I was absolutely a Daddy’s Girl. Wherever Daddy went, so did I. It didn’t matter to me what he was doing just as long as I was near. I walked where he walked sometimes so close that when he turned around he would step on me.
As I grew older and life took me to different destinations, I can remember how bad my heart would heart to be near my Dad and to listen to his wisecracks. My Dad was such a jokester. I will never forget we took a business trip before his accident to Savannah, GA. Daddy always loved music and encouraged my sister (or should I say bribed) and I to take piano lessons. He was a simple man but he loved him some classical music especially if his girls where the pianist. Anyway.....we had breakfast this particular morning at Clary’s in Savannah. Clary’s is such a landmark in Savannah and one of their treasures is their coffee. They have the best freshly roasted coffee in the city. We had much coffee. While touring the Riverfront shops, nature called and a restroom was a necessity find. If you have ever visited the Riverfront shops you are familiar that restrooms are not a commodity and knowing how particular I am about restrooms, Daddy began the search for a clean facility. He found it. It was the Ritz Carlton. I explained to Daddy we couldn’t go in there we were not guests. And with his mischievous crooked grin and twinkle in his eye, he simply said, “follow me and I will show you how it’s done”. We followed like ducks to the water. The Ritz Carlton is stunning with his crystal chandeliers and marble floors. Needing to find the restroom as swiftly has I could, I did not notice the beautiful Grand Piano located in the center of the room. Now, although my Daddy appreciated good music, he couldn’t play “a lick” and after years of coaching, I had just gotten him to sing at church. When I came out of the restroom I immediately was drawn to this beautiful piano music coming from the lobby. It was some of the most beautiful music I had heard. I noticed a woman sitting next to the piano reading a book sitting with her book open across her legs with glasses in hand as she was mesmerized by the beautiful music coming from the grand piano. My eyes then began to follow from the woman's chair to the piano when in my surprise I noticed my Dad was sitting at the piano bench with his fingers on the keys. I screamed out, “Daddy get your hands off that piano”. Shocked that he was captured in his shenanigan’s he immediately placed his hands on his lap but the piano kept playing. His one lady audience realized she had been duped for my Dad was not a classical pianist but rather a jokester and she had been duped by the greatest.
My Dad was taken from us this October 13 years and I have to say a day doesn’t go by that I don’t think about him and grin wondering what kind of tricks he is up to in heaven. I was cheated that miserable, dark rainy day for he was killed in a violent car accident. It was devastating to me and my family but time does heal. Doesn’t mean the pain isn’t still readily available but God gives us blessings to help with the healing. He gave me my now husband who is the father to my precious baby girl. Watching Jimmy with Anna Grace is such a blessing to me. Like I, she sometimes walks so close to him that he steps on her or she talks nonstop to keep herself awake so that she doesn’t miss anytime with her Daddy. A Daddy’s Girl is truly an honor and I am blessed that I have the opportunity to watch such a great Daddy with my child. Happy Father’s Day Jim....you are the best Daddy.
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