My Daddy!

I thank God just about everyday that my daddy is still here with me. That sounds horrible..doesn't it? "Just about everyday"... I forget sometimes... not all the time! I never really thought about losing my daddy until about 10 years ago. That was when I got scared and thought "Wow... he isn't going to be here forever."
Growing up, Daddy didn't really pay me much attention... he played golf every weekend and I sure didn't want to do that... so I didn't "hang out" with him and do fun things like they show you in the movies with a "Daddy Daughter Day". Thinking back~ I sure am glad we didn't hang out like that... that would have been totally out of character for both of us!
Memories of Daddy from growing up all deal with "He was with me through the Special Times"~
I can remember the first time I ever went to the Masters... he was there. He took me, made me feel special, and chose me over Jim and Guille to get to go that day.
I can remember as a little girl kissing him good night while he sat in his recliner and telling him I love him. Many nights I would yell into the den and say, "Daddy, quick... hurry... I need you!!!!" He would come running everytime. I had gotten into bed and not turned the light out... he would roll his eyes and do it for me!
I can remember when I was 17 and had to give the crown away for Miss Lincoln County Green and when I came in the house...he told me, "You could have won again tonight! You were beautiful!" My daddy doesn't compliment people...that was a wonderful thing to say to me.
I can remember the many football games that I cheered at for four years and him coming by on the field and speaking to us and letting me know we were going to win...or a few times that I might need to be worried.
I can remember going to Myrtle Beach my freshman year of college with all my girlfriends and we had a flat tire. He drove all the way to Aiken, SC, to bring me another car. He somehow overlooked the cooler full of beverages that we didn't need to have! He asked me if we needed any extra money, and he told me to be careful and call if we needed him.
I can remember the day I told him I hated him because he told me I couldn't go to the Georgia Southern / Auburn game because "you squat to pee". That was day that I was put on restriction (at 20) for the first time and I had to sit with him all day and night long. During that time is when I met Mark... had it not been for all that...I may not be where I am right now.
I can remember the first time I went to Clemson to see Mark. It was the Georgia Tech/ Clemson game. Daddy told me my skirt was "awfully short" and I changed.
I can remember the day that I got married. I never expected him to say anything sweet or poetic to me. He didn't. He said, "Don't bend over in that dress or you will show everything you got!" He is from South Carolina~ you know maybe I get my mouth that doesn't have a filter on it from him.
I can remember the day I thought I was having a miscarriage when I was pregnant with Katie Britt. I was sitting in my principal's office on the phone with him and he said, "The big man upstairs is going to take care of you!" He did!
That same summer we went to the beach and I had morning sickness all day long. He stayed outside with me at the restaurant while I threw up and everyone else enjoyed their meal!
I can remember watching the video of the day Katie Britt finally came and he missed it by just a few minutes. The look of disappointment on his face was there, but when he saw her...he smiled the biggest smile! His first granddaughter~
I can remember the day he was rushed to the Emergency Room in Athens and I was in Greenville. I was scared to death! I am like him in that I don't really know what to say in certain situations. So... I called him in the ER and told the nurse to please tell him, "Daddy, I don't have time right now for you to die!"... I meant it. I didn't!
I can remember the day that Ben was born. Ben was taken to the NICU and everyone went to see him. Daddy stayed with me.
When we moved back to Lincolnton, I was so excited to be able to go visit during the week. It was fun to sit around, laugh, gossip, and ride around chasing the ambulance. I drove him and Mama to Destin, FL. I had an Alan Jackson CD in the car of gospel music. It was past midnight and I was so sleepy driving so the music was loud. He and I sang every word to every hymn on the CD. Who knew Daddy knew all that gospel music? I never hear one of those songs that I don't think about that night.
In the past two years, I have had many scares. I have taken him to the Emergency Room many times, to have surgeries, to doctors' appointments~ I wouldn't give a million dollars for not being here to do that for him.
Our family isn't very big on birthdays~ We don't even give each other a card! Tonight~ we called Daddy and told him to meet us at the Huddle House for his birthday. As we were sitting there, he said, "I sure am glad I'm here. This time last year I thought it was it for me." I admittingly agreed with him.
Thank you God for this last year with Daddy. Thank you that he has made it to 68 years old! Thank you that he comes to watch ballgames with us every weekend. Thank you that he takes my children to school for me when Mark is out of town. Thank you that he comes when I call for a cup a sugar, a little bit of milk, or even when I need him to drive me around in the Guppie to chase ambulances. I am blessed! I know I am a lucky girl to have a daddy that is still with me! You won't read about our story in a book, or even see a daddy like mine on a television show... but if you want to know about a good daddy who makes me laugh...I can tell you!
Happy Birthday Butchie! You are loved!