Daddy died one year ago today. It’s still incredibly unfair.
One of the things that Daddy did best was fully enjoy the things he loved, like his hobbies. I’d also like to think he fully enjoyed his trips with us (despite me and Keath’s – I’m sure frustrating – fighting. It was always him that started it by the way!). As I’ve said before, I always knew that with us was the place he wanted to be most. Trips were no exception. My parents never went on vacations without us. When we were kids we went to Disney…a lot. So much that we got annual passes at one point. When Daddy got his picture taken for his annual pass he was smiling the very biggest, happiest smile ever. A true zip-a-dee-doo-da smile! You could tell he was REALLY happy to be at Disney World with all of us! We all got a lot of laughs out of that picture. He was just so happy to be with us. He loved us so much that there was no place he wanted to be more than on that trip with his family.
Last week we were on a fantastic ski trip for spring break. The entire time I was honestly overwhelmed with gratitude and joy watching the kids zoom down the mountain. I love them so much and am so thankful to have 3 active, healthy kids. We all just had so much fun together and I’m pretty sure I had the very biggest, happiest smile ever on my face for much of the trip (except when I got stuck on that black run!). There was no place I wanted to be more than on that trip with my family.
It’s just nice to go full circle and experience things as a parent and be able to look back and realize that’s how he probably felt too. As always, I’m going to continue to try and be more like him and, in this case, that means continuing to fully enjoy the things I love and soak up the good times. I’m going to make sure my kids know that with them is where I love to be most. Daddy gave me that gift and I am forever grateful to know how much he loved me.
Now I need GJ to go find that annual pass because I know it’s still around somewhere!!
