When I think of my dad; hard working, kind hearted, and patient come to mind. My dad is soft spoken and mild mannered. My dad has always been my biggest supporter. When I think back to my childhood with my dad, summer vacations, silly family jokes and special traditions come to mind. My sister and me are still the center of my dad’s world. But, now, someone else has moved into that universe… Camille.
Camille is the apple of not only her daddy’s eye but her pap pap as well. I wanted a baby, very badly, for a very long time. My mother made it clear that she wanted to be a grandmother. My dad, on the other hand, never said much. I never really thought about it until after Camille was born. My father was thrilled!
He carries pictures of her in his wallet, on his cell phone and saves her voice mail messages. Even at her worst terrible two moment, Camille can do nothing wrong. That’s when I realized, my dad never said anything about being a grandpa because he didn’t want to hurt my feelings, if God didn’t bless us with a child. Even as an adult, my dad was protecting me. He’s done it all of his life. I am a daddy’s girl and now I’m watching one grow up in front of my eyes 
Because of our work schedules my husband has the chance to spend quality time with Camille. I can see that daddy-daughter relationship growing. When I was a kid my dad and me watched football on TV. I remember those Sunday afternoons like they were yesterday. Last night, Camille cried because she thought she wasn’t going to be able to snuggle with her daddy and watch a little baseball. Watching my husband with Camille and my dad with Camille is something special. As a mother, it tugs at my heart. My husband is a wonderful father to Camille, although she does walk all over him My dad is a great dad, I should have known he’d make a terrific grandfather.
To all of you dads and gradfathers, I wish you a Happy Father’s Day! To those who have lost a dad, know that people are thinking of you today too.
To my dad, thank you and I love you.
xoxo,
Tracy
It’s amazing how the child’s bonding is different with the mother and the father. We were just talking about this today at dinner-we had my wife’s parents over for a cook-out ( both of my parents are deceased). There were times when only a “Mother’s touch” would do; other times the kids needed to be with Dad. In our case, a lot of it had to do with the fact that I’d let the kids do the “fun stuff” (from a Mother’s perspective, read as “dangerous”), that Mom wouldn’t DREAM of letting them do.
I’ve also talked to OTHER grandfathers, and we pretty much agree-we’ve become better GRANDFATHERS, than we were fathers. A lot of that has to do with the fact that WE have more time to spend with them, but also, we cherish the limited time we DO have, usually because of distance.
You write some of the most touching things in your blog-keep it up.
And the outfit you had on at 6 was out of this world!
Great color for you!
I know how you feel about being a daddy’s girl! I lost my dad on January 20th of this year. I knew I would have a really hard time dealing with it, did I know it would be this hard……never in a million years! I cherish every memory I have of my dad and I miss him more than I can even express. My dad and I had a very special relationship and I know he is in a better place and is no longer suffering the way he was! I look forward to the day when my time has come and I know he will be waiting for me with a big hug, kiss and an I Love You! It is so nice to see when someone actually appreciates there parents instead of putting them down. God Bless you and your family!