Dear Dad,

It doesn’t matter where life takes me, you’ll always be in my heart.
I know we don’t always talk, but I do try to make sure you know I love you each and everyday. Rather it is through telling you, or showing you in some way.

I hope you know I’d never do anything I know would disappoint or hurt you in any way. I need you too bad to let that happen.

I try my level best to do right by you, sometimes when I feel like I come short of doing so; I always look upon you to let me know just what I do right. You always let me know how pretty I am, and just how special I am. Even though you and mom have four kids, I always feel like I’m special in my own way, you always tell me how I’m special in ways some of the other kids might not be. Those moments in time make me feel the best.

Through the 18 years of my life, I have always been what you nick-named me when mom was pregnant, “Thumper” and I’ll always be that. No matter where I am, no matter what I’m doing, know in my heart, it doesn’t matter if I am 18 or 81, I’ll leave this earth being your ‘Thumper’ just as I came in.

Every so often, when I come over, kiss you on the top of the head and say ‘I love you, dad’ I hope you know that’s my way of letting you know even though we don’t have a lot of time together, you’re the greatest thing in my life. I will die a daddy’s girl and I’m just fine with that.

Remember a few months ago when we went to the store together and you held out your hand for me to take it? I asked you what you were doing and you said you were helping me up to the door as you did when I was a little girl. It might have looked a little odd to other people, but that was one of the times I wouldn’t have given up for anything.

You’ve helped me through so much. You named me when I was born. You helped me learn to walk, you helped me not to be so afraid of heights, and you helped me to walk across bridges when I was scared. You taught me all the lessons that being an engineer have taught you. You’ve taught me about the bible, and from right and wrong since I was a little girl and even though it sounds like I don’t pay attention to the right and wrongs, they are still in my heart and for those teachings, there’s a lot of wrong doings I haven’t done.

You taught me so many things that no one else could have taught me. You’ve taught me patience even though sometimes it doesn’t seem like I have much. You’ve been a wonderful daddy and I appreciate you and everything you’ve done for me, for you, I’m who I am.

In a tight situation, you’ve taught me that it’s okay to ask for help. You’ve taught me to work hard for what I want out of life. You’ve taught me not to settle, and to stick up for myself. Be stubborn but love. You’ve taught me just how to take things and how not to. Thank you Daddy, for being who you are. My mentor, the one person, even though sometimes doesn’t understand me, loves me anyways…

You took me to your home, down in the hills and introduced me to the wonderful place down there, teaching me that where ever you are from, you’re to respect it and never take it for granted. Even though I seem to take Canada for granted, I would never take where you’re from that way. I love being down there where you called home and still do for so many years. Thank you for letting me be apart of that too… =) I love you daddy… Always, forever and eternity…

Love,
Jane