Daddy, I met the most amazing family tonight. I felt at home with them and I wasn’t sure why until I saw a picture of the parents cuddled up close, each with a glass of wine in hand. It reminded me of a photo I once saw of you and Pat, standing behind the bar at the lodge. You two looked so happy.
It brought back so many memories. Memories of us four, memories of you and Pat walking down the beach, hand in hand.
Dad, I miss you.
I’m doing alright you know. I think you’d be proud of me. I hope so anyway. And Pat, she’s been amazing. You always gave your girls the best, but the greatest gift you could have left us with was this strong, amazing woman who cared so deeply about you and who cares so dearly about us. And she kicked the cancer. Her hair is growing back and she’s as stunning as ever.
And Heather, she’s doing so well. You would have been so impressed with her latest results. And she’s coming to Stellenbosch to study chemical engineering next year, daddy. I’m finally going to have my baby girl back. I’ll try look after her. She looked so pretty for her matric dance, all grown up. I wish you could have seen her.
Ollie died, daddy; our little schnoo, but puppy is still gorgeous and I think she misses you as much as we do.
Sean had a son dad. He’s named Evan Andrew McGinn, after you. He’s gorgeous and I hope that he can grow to be the man that you once were.
All I can think about is our little trip down to Stellenbosch, just the two of us. I wish I had known then what I know now. I wish I had taken advantage of our time together. I wish I had made it count.
It’s taken me so long to write this. I wish I didn’t have too. I wish that I could call you up and say hello. But I can’t and I’m dealing with it. So instead, I’m sitting here, in your Blackbeard t-shirt, glass of wine in hand, thinking about what an amazing person you were and about that damn hankie.
You were my hero daddy; I guess you always will be.
I hope it didn’t hurt. I hope you weren’t in too much pain. You looked so peaceful in the hospital bed. I tried everything to wake you; chocolate, kisses, I even tried tickling your feet, but it was too late. Just know that we’re okay, and that we miss you every day.
The service was beautiful. Francis painted the most amazing portrait of you based on a photo from your wedding night. And everyone got to say a few words. They said the most amazing things and shared some very special memories. Chuck said some very special words. But BB, he broke my heart. And his big, beautiful bear-hug afterwards was the one thing that kept me going. You’re missed by a lot of people.
We all miss you. I miss you. And I love you, daddy.
No comments:
Post a Comment