Did you look to him for your security, for love and attention, for the
understanding, and the patience you lacked as a child?

My daddy was the center of my small world, the focus of my affections,
the star that lit my life, shining bright ... shining still in my heart.

The years have led me here, weathered with maturity and responsibilities,
and I see more clearly now ... the hardships, burdens of love, and all
the small sacrifices he made for me and for our family.

He created stability, a place to call home.  All the photographs I browse
through of a child long forgotten, scarcely remembered smiling, so happy
and so loved.  The mere thought of becoming that role model is enough to
send me cowering, afraid ... looking for guidance, turning to my father for
support, advice, wise counsel, and for approval.

Grown up, I see differently now ... a new perspective of a man I have
always known.  My heart is full, my emotions overpowering, just in the
certainty of that bond.  He's been there for me through all the conflicts,
helping me over the rough, ragged stones of growing up.

My respect for him is unending, faith is unbound, and love is
unquestioning.  Even in the midst of all my imperfections, he is
lenient, ignoring the pitfalls, the downfalls, the shortcomings ...
he just accepted me as I was, as I am.

The sheer purity of it leaves me awe-struck and it lifts me up.
It holds my head a little higher, it keeps me in balance,
beautifully harmonizing with the world around me,
like an inspired masterpiece from the soul of an honest man.
I am honored to know him, to love him, to be of him.
He's my hero, and I am his daughter, his little girl.