It's true what they say about the bond between a father and a daughter. If nurtured and cherished, it can be one of the most tender relationships this earth life has to offer. I call him Jackson or Jr., only because it makes his face light up. Every chance I get I tell him how he is one of the greatest blessings a loving father in heaven bestowed upon me. His influence in my life has effected every aspect of my life. He's gentle, he's quiet, he's wise and he's very educated. He always knows just what to say to make me feel like a million bucks. Every time he sees me he tells me how gorgeous I am (which is nice to be hearing from SOME male being!) He's currently on a mission in the Philippines and I miss him very much. I remember one of the last hugs we had before he left... the sun was setting and as I hugged him the sun shone in my eyes so brightly that I was almost blinded. I couldn't help but think that was what heaven must feel like...warm, bright and full of loved ones that we wish to always be right next to. I was listening to a talk by President Gordon B. Hinckley (former president of my church) last weekend wherein he said: "As a Father do I love my daughters less than my sons? No. If I am guilty of any imbalance it is in favor of my girls. I've said that when a man gets old, he'd better have daughters about him. They are so kind and good and thoughtful. I think I can say my sons are able and wise. My daughters are clever and kind. And my cup runneth over because of this." He goes on to say: "Woman is the crowning creation of man. The grand summation of all of the marvelous work that had gone on before. How thankful we must all be for the women in our lives. May God's great love distill upon them and crown them with luster, beauty, grace and faith." I love my dad because he's given me a passion to read, to run, to live a healthy lifestyle, to fill my life with only the best food, people and travels. He's taught me gentleness over screaming, patience over impulse, and faith over fear. He raised me in a home full of love with the ways of the Savior at the forefront of our home and relationships. He's always supported me in every endeavor I've ever wanted to pursue. He's helped me travel the world and get a wonderful education. I love my dad because he has always treated me like the person I know that I can become, not the person I currently am. I think of the many fatherless homes in the world and the endless number of dead beat dads, and I'm eternally grateful for this wonderful, soft spoken, tender man that has always treated me like I'm made of gold. No wonder I'm not married... he's set the bar too high. Soon he turns 70 and he's far away from us. I've thought about him a lot lately. I hope to someday have a little boy as cute and sweet as he is! Love and miss you dad!
