A Letter, by Jezebel Subscribe to rss feed for Jezebel

Dear Daddy,

Do you remember when you
were big and I was small?
When your rough voice sang
Sweet Child O' Mine to me?

Do you remember when you
pulled me up onto your
skyscraper high shoulders and
your laugh reverberated through us?

What about when Mommy left
and your tears frightened me?
When I patted your curled fists
as each sob pierced me to the core.

Dear Daddy,

Do you remember the letters we
passed back and forth so preciously,
and the way your dried tears were
strewn like bodies on a battlefield?

Do you remember your surprise
when my head reached your chest,
and my once-long hair fell
clumsily into my eyes?

What about the day you were
released and I ran screaming
into your arms, crying with
delight. Do you remember that?

Dear Dad,

Do you recall the pain in my voice
when I congratulated you on your
marriage as we huddled together
for a family photo?

Do you recall the excitement when I
was turning thirteen and I
could tell a judge I wanted
to live with you instead?

How about our broken breaths
as we both held back tears
when you chose to move six
hundred miles from me?

Dear Dad,

Do you remember the day
you taught me to ride your
blue motorcycle? How we
laughed when I couldn't stop.

Do you remember our pain
when you were in your accident?
My panic when I got a call
from your wife?

What about the agony in
my tear-filled eyes when
you told me you were dying,
and salty lines tracked down my face?

Dear Daddy,

Can you even remember
what life was like before
your disease came and
forever stole you away? 
Posted: 2020-10-11 07:31:56 UTC

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