Well, Daddy!  Here we go again.  I am sitting here watching you sleep in the hospital, different time-different place. Six years ago, I thought I had lost you, but God worked a miracle in your life.  You fought hard, and He brought you back to us.  You went through three long months in three hospitals and rehab centers, but God blessed, and you came home.  Of course, there were months of hard work ahead, but you were up for the task.

We have been through other difficulties, but this one is the worst since then by far.  Four out of five months you have been in and out of hospitals for a week at the time. Your leukemia has progressed now. Doctors say they don’t know how much longer you have left, but God keeps surprising them.  You’re a fighter and always have been.

All of my life you have been bigger than life.  I have admired you from day one.  Your kind, gentle spirit has prevailed through my memories.  I have always been Daddy’s little girl, but I also knew when you meant business.

The first memory I have of you “meaning business”was when I was seven years old, and I crossed a four- lane highway to go to the store.  I tried to blame the babysitter, but I knew better.  It was one of those “this hurts me more than it hurts you” moments.  It was years later when I finally understood what that meant.  By the way, the babysitter was looking for another job.

I also remember talking back to my mom when we were at the beach.  You didn’t hesitate to walk up to me in front of God and everyone and pop my bottom. I was embarrassed more than anything, but I learned real quickly you weren’t going to allow me to disrespect my mother-no matter how old I was.

There were other times you straightened me out, but those will remain private.  Being willing to discipline was so important, and it showed me you loved me.  Thank you for loving me enough to make me mad.  I am so thankful for those lessons.

There are so many other memories I have of you, Dad.  You have this great sense of humor.  We were talking in the hospital, and I asked you what you wanted to do.  I said we can talk, we can watch TV, we can take a nap, or… and you interrupted me with a song. You sang, “I Want to Hold Your Hand.”  We just laughed.  The funny faces you make at the grandchildren remind me of how you used to play with us as children.  They always loved the stories you made up, and I have passed down the tradition. Thank you for teaching me to laugh.

We knew how to play together.  Oh, how you loved to fish.  I never really enjoyed fishing, but you and Curt could spend hours.  We had some of the greatest fish dinners, though. My favorite was shark.  That part I really enjoyed!  I also remember you being in the backyard having fun with all the kids in the neighborhood. Our yard was called “Kelley Field.”  You even mowed the grass in the shape of a ball field.  Mom always enjoyed watching us through the kitchen window.  She held down the fort, so we could play.  Now that I am a mom, I understand so much more about the part she played in you being a great dad.

No matter what the situation, you have always been someone I could talk to. I knew you wouldn’t tell anyone.  My secret was safe with you.   I can remember my first heart-break.  I came into the room and cried on your shoulder.  Oh, Mom was there too, but she was trying to hold you back. You were ready to find that boy and teach him a thing or two.  You were both always so protective.

We also shed tears together watching a sad movie, or rejoicing over something beautiful.  My heart gets so full sometimes.  Thank you for teaching me how to be compassionate.

I have found that many people have a hard time admitting they are wrong, but not you, Daddy.  You taught me to say, “I was wrong, and I am sorry. Please forgive me.”  You were never too prideful to admit you were wrong.  Thank you for being humble.  May I learn this lesson well.

Another great gift you gave me, Dad, was your work ethic. You showed me by example what it was to work hard, but you and mom also expected me to work hard.  But that wasn’t enough. It had to be done right. I can remember having to do things over until I got it right.  Thank you for that lesson.

The greatest gift you and Mom gave me was a Christian home. You taught me about faith and that God is the answer in every situation.  When things get tough, He keeps us going.  We were always in church, and there were no excuses.  If we weren’t sick enough to miss school, we weren’t sick enough to miss church.  I can remember staying up late on Wednesdays to do homework, because we didn’t miss church. When I had a big project due, you said I should have planned better.  You taught me to be faithful and not to make excuses to miss church.  In fact, you didn’t accept excuses for anything.  When I started my first job, I was expected to be at church if I was not working.  I remember going to my boss and explaining I could work morning shift or late shift, but not mid-shift.  I needed to be at church at least one of the services on Sunday.  Thank you for teaching me to be faithful.

One neat thing about you, Dad, was you were always singing about the Lord.  You led music for the church sometimes, you sang in a quartet, you sang while you worked, and you sang in the shower.  You sang about Jesus in the good times and the bad. You never stopped singing.  You sang praising His name, and you sang when you were hurting.  When you couldn’t talk during your tough times in the hospital, you could still sing. When I hear a song you used to sing, I think of you.  It is one of the sweetest memories I have of you, Daddy.  Thank you so much!

So many of the attributes I have already mentioned were because you loved the Lord and were living your Christian walk.  Thank you for your testimony, Dad.  I am thankful to know Jesus, too!  You are such a big part of who I am today.  I am so proud to be your daughter.

It won’t be long until you meet Jesus in glory.  Only the Lord knows the day and the hour.  I do know that you will be with Him soon, and I can picture you joining in the Heavenly Choir.

I will always be your little girl.  If only every child had a father that she could admire and look up to as I do you, Daddy.  Every child needs a godly home where his father and mother are living examples of what Christ is.  Thank you for the example you have always set for me and the home you gave me.  May your life inspire others to be the fathers they need to be.

I love you, Daddy!

Your little girl

 *Every father is different, but every father needs to show their children what it means to be like Christ.  May you show your child an example of what a Christian should be. It is a tough world out there for Christians.  We need to give our children all the help they can get.

 Mrs. Worthington has five children and eleven grandchildren.  She serves as Principal of Pathway Christian Academy in Goldsboro.