Dear dad,
How have you been? Its been 13 years since I last saw you, since I last heard your hearty laugh. 13 long years of missing you, and wondering what life would have been like if you hadn’t been taken away so soon.
I’ve been dreaming about you a lot lately, it’s not just me though, mum and Stella have experienced the same thing. Maybe I’ve watched too many movies and got my head stuck in the clouds, but are you trying to tell us something? I see you so vividly in these dreams, I hear your voice, how you used to call me daddy, and how much I hated that pet name because, well, I’m a girl, but I’d give my left lung to hear you call me that one more time.
Though it’s been a while, I can even remember your scent — Old Spice, you always were a man of good taste.
I was only 8 years old when you died, but I’m a grown woman now. I’m even about to graduate from university. Guess what my major is? Journalism of course! I wanted to be just like you, although I favour a pen to a camera, I hope that makes you proud of me?
I’m at a stage in my life where I need you, but I understand why I can’t have you here. I have to make major decisions on where I want my life to go, and I wish you were here to help me out. Mum has done her best to bring me up on her own, plus she gives great advice too, and I love her for it, but it’s just not the same without you.
People set apart one day to hold memorials and celebrate their departed, but for me, not a day goes by when I don’t think about you. I’m grateful to have had the best father in the world, and I’m not saying that because I was a daddy’s girl, you really were the best! I love you, I miss you and I’ll keep missing you until the day I get to see you again.
You will never be forgotten, your legacy, your larger than life personality and your big heart will live on through our memories. If my future husband turns out to be half the man you were, then I shall have found a good thing.
Rest easy papa, your baby girl loves you!
That was so beautiful! It is the first article I’ve read on this site after my dad passed away 2 months ago. I am soooo happy to read your article as it makes me excited for the future, rather than to fear it. Thank you so much. xx
Hi Sophie, I’m glad my open letter was able to give you hope for the future ahead, it won’t be easy, but keep your head up and always remember he good times you had with your dad. He may be gone, but he will always live in your heart and memory!