When I was a little girl, small enough to still fit on my dad’s lap, I needed my daddy for many things. I needed daddy to help me with my math homework, to put a band-aid on a cut, to reach something high on the shelf. Daddy was big and he was strong and he could do anything.
I imagined, when I was still a little girl, that I would grow up someday and not need my dad anymore. I would still love him, of course, but I wouldn’t need him like I did when I was young. I would be an adult and adults don’t need stuff like that.
How wrong I was when I was little. It struck me this weekend, while my dad fixed the bathroom sink and cleaned out my car (it has never been cleaner. Ever.), while he tinkered with the broken dishwasher and helped me pick out a new one….I realized just how much I still need him. Sure, I could probably have found the part to fix the sink, and eventually I would have gotten around to buying a new dishwasher. I could have taken my van to the car wash and left with a clean one. But my dad’s visit this weekend was so much more than a new dishwasher and a clean van.
I still need my daddy. I might not need Dad to put a band-aid on or help me with my homework, but emotionally I still need the support and the love and the wisdom that he gave as a little girl, and still gives now that I’ve got little girls of my own.
Instead of being Mommy-who-knows-where-everything-is, I was sitting on my daddy’s lap again. For a few minutes I could take off that Mommy-hat and just be me, with a few less cares and stresses and responsibilities. Because for a few days, Dad was here, and Dad can fix anything.
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Awww, great post and very timely for me. My dad just left after a 5 day visit. We only see him 2x/year and he spent his time fixing things, cleaning my car, spoiling my boys, and reviewing my stocks & 401K. I need him and love him to bits, and every time he leaves that hits home more and I’m scared these moments will be coming to a close soon. :(
Wow…this post got me all choked up…
My dad is the same way, even though we live 10 hours apart right now. I know that I need him now more than ever and I feel so blessed to have him as such a special and important part of my life.
Maybe I’m just emotional from losing my Dad’s mom this past week, but I couldn’t agree more.
My Dad is the SAME way. Once when my FOUR kids where home (including a CRAZY 2 year old) he replaced the faucet on our sink. That alone makes him a special guy.
In fact I think I need him now more than ever, since when I was little I didn’t appreciate how awesome he really is.
You are so lucky to have a great relationship with your Dad. I didn’t have ANY relationship with mine and we haven’t spoken in about 15 years. I don’t regret cutting him out of my life – I needed to do it for my own sanity, but I wish I had a father who actually cared.
Unfortunately, I lost my dad in 1993 but, I was lucky enough to marry into a family with a dad-of-all-trades. My FiL can build/fix anything. He made us a fence with an arch, helped us gut and put up drywall in our bathrooms and he is even teaching a woodworking class at my youngest’s school’s High Interest Day! If I can’t have my daddy here, he is a perfect substitute!
I love this post! I still need my dad too and I hope I never stop!
He is a lucky man to have a daughter who loves him so much. That is so sweet. My girls are like that with my husband and I love it!
this one hit home
Amen! My dad comes to visit and he does stuff like declog my vacuum, clean lint from the dryer trap, walks the dog all the time, makes us dinner and mojitos! The list goes on. (Our dads sound similar)
I count my blessings my own daughter has a wonderful father too.
Holiday cheers to you and yours.
I lost my dad over five years ago, and I miss moments like that. :) I love the photo of you two.