Daughters will love like you do
Girls become lovers, who turn into mothers
So mothers, be good to your daughters, too.
(John Mayer)
My dad was my first love - no doubt about it!
Last Christmas, all I could afford to give were stocking stuffers. My dad, my mom, my brother, and my sister each got a tiny present wrapped in a recycled brown paper bag, bow-tied with a craft ribbon.
My dad opened my present last...
To Tay, My First Love:
Because you’ve taught me that love is not only found in grand gifts and gestures, but also found in life’s everday little surprises!
With Love,
Jing*
(*Jing was my dad's pet name for me.)
He carefully untied the ribbon and unwrapped it...
SURPRISE!
It was a tiny box of Sunmaid California Raisins!
My parents' living room was filled with laughter... and then my sister suddenly squealed jokingly, "Dad is crying!"
More laughter...
I hugged my dad. And for a moment that was all that we needed: a hug, a tiny red box of raisins betweeen us, not a single word spoken... both of us just knew what it was all about!
"Everyday when I was little," I began explaining to those who didn't know, "when dad came home from work, he would bring me home a tiny box of raisins."
A collective "Awww..."
Everybody was still taking the moment in, until my mom calls out, "That just means she doesn't have money this year!"
Even more laughter...
It was true. But that was the Christmas when I had to truly reflect upon each gift that I gave. Not that I gave out presents with little thought anyway. It was always, "Oh, I am sure they would love these!" But that particular Christmas, it was more like, "How would a tiny little stocking stuffer encapsulate everything that I am thankful for about this person?"
A tiny box of Sunmaid California Raisins for my dad...
I didn't even pay a dollar for it. To the naked eye, it was a cheap gift.
To a daughter reflecting on how her father has taught her all about love, it was invaluable!
That tiny box of raisins...
... gave me a sense of security: that after a long day that he was gone, my dad would come home to our family.
... gave me pure joy: that it didn't have to be a grand new toy everyday, but just the fact that I was thought about that day by the man that I adored was bliss!
... most importantly gave me a sense of self: that it didn't matter what the world thought about me or that I had to prove anything to anyone; I was the apple of my daddy's eyes!
Later that evening, as we were driving home after the Christmas get-together, Edison said, "That's cool that you still remember what your dad did when you were little." I smiled at him, "Yeah." And I thought, That's how I got to pick you. Security. Joy. Apple of your eyes. I felt right at home with you.
On behalf of every man
Looking out for every girl
You are the god and the weight of her world
So fathers be good to your daughters
Daughters will love like you do...
Tay, I thank the Lord everyday for all that you are, and all that you have done so I can be the person I am today! You have taught me what kind of man with whom I should share my life - a gift that by no means will end with me... for I see how great a father Edison is to Alison... and so I pray that Alison and all the daughters down in our family line will continue to be blessed with great fathers just like you and Edison... fathers that our Heavenly Father is very proud of! May God bless you this Father's Day and always!
A tiny box of Sunmaid California Raisins for my dad...
I didn't even pay a dollar for it. To the naked eye, it was a cheap gift.
To a daughter reflecting on how her father has taught her all about love, it was invaluable!
That tiny box of raisins...
... gave me a sense of security: that after a long day that he was gone, my dad would come home to our family.
... gave me pure joy: that it didn't have to be a grand new toy everyday, but just the fact that I was thought about that day by the man that I adored was bliss!
... most importantly gave me a sense of self: that it didn't matter what the world thought about me or that I had to prove anything to anyone; I was the apple of my daddy's eyes!
Later that evening, as we were driving home after the Christmas get-together, Edison said, "That's cool that you still remember what your dad did when you were little." I smiled at him, "Yeah." And I thought, That's how I got to pick you. Security. Joy. Apple of your eyes. I felt right at home with you.
On behalf of every man
Looking out for every girl
You are the god and the weight of her world
So fathers be good to your daughters
Daughters will love like you do...
Tay, I thank the Lord everyday for all that you are, and all that you have done so I can be the person I am today! You have taught me what kind of man with whom I should share my life - a gift that by no means will end with me... for I see how great a father Edison is to Alison... and so I pray that Alison and all the daughters down in our family line will continue to be blessed with great fathers just like you and Edison... fathers that our Heavenly Father is very proud of! May God bless you this Father's Day and always!
Love, Jing
1 comment:
aawwww... audrey... this made me cry... =) im so touched with your love for your dad. im so happy for you.
btw, im a regular reader of your blog. =)
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