Tribute to Daddy

It seems like just yesterday that I devoted this space to the memory of my mom. It actually has been less than a month. Today, I am devoting this space and time to my daddy.
It will be 15 years tomorrow that Daddy left us to join Mama at the greatest fishing hole ever......Heaven, of course! My mama and daddy were taken from here much too soon. So many things I would have loved to share with them.
Things I remember most about my daddy...
His crew cut! Those of you who knew him, never knew him without this distinctive hairstyle-----neither did I!
His hands. I loved my daddy's hands. I always thought he had the nicest hands. They were strong yet gentle. They disciplined yet loved. They held me as a baby--they held MY girls as babies. That is a priceless memory...
His musical abilities. I am so very thankful I inherited this gift from him. He would be so proud of Caitlin and her musical accomplishments. He always encouraged me where my music was concerned and invested a good bit of time and $$ in, what is now, a hobby. 12 years of piano lessons, voice lessons, sheet music....wow.
His tolerance of my exploration. During that time in my life when I wanted to explore the world, he, like mama, patiently waited for me to come to my senses. He would admire Darby's fearless desire to know more about this big world!
His voice. I used to love to lay my head on his chest and listen to him talk. Resonance.
His tolerance of my desire to have kitty cats. He had to be a great dad to put up with inside pets, because I am SURE he never had that. Not really sure he ever had pets, period.
(I won't resurrect the high school sweetheart thing, again. We remember that ONLY too well----almost received the wrath....remember?!)
Daddy's princess. That is probably the most profound memory I have of my daddy. I ALWAYS knew I was his princess; Daddy's little girl. He made sure that he addressed me as 'Princess', whether in conversation, in a card, or on the inside of a special book that he may have given me. (If he addressed me as 'Linda Kathleen', I knew there was trouble to be had!!).
I love you, Daddy. I miss you more than I can even express.

Blessings... G.R.I.T.S. (Girl Raised In The South)