Dear Dad: Remembering You on Father’s Day

And every day

Wasn’t it just yesterday that we had our father daughter days together?

Whether it was going to a ballgame at Yankee stadium, walking through the Bronx Zoo, or your letting me tag along to your card games with your brothers, you always enjoyed our times together as much as I did.

I’m remembering our summer vacations renting a bungalow at Rockaway Beach.

Mom and I would explore the boardwalk as you worked during the day at the pizza place. We would stop by for our lunch together each day.

At night we’d play together in the penny arcade, go on the rides, walk along the beach, and somehow ended up having dinner at the pizza place.

From a young girl’s perspective, this was the ultimate good time!

Little did I know then that in order to afford the bungalow rental, you spent your vacation from working in a factory to working at the pizza place.

One of the additional benefits of that job was free food for us from the manager who appreciated your hard work.

How could I know? You never complained, always smiling.

I’m remembering my wedding day when that smile radiated from your face.

When you walked me down the aisle in the church you seemed to be floating.

At the reception as we danced to “Daddy’s Little Girl,” you whispered to me to remember that I always would be.

• I’m remembering your joy when each of your three grandchildren were born.
• I’m remembering your smile destroyed when Mom died, but resurrected after you dealt with your grief.
• And I’m remembering how you smiled when you introduced me to the nurses in the hospital as your “little girl” when you were dying.

Yes, Dad, forever, I’m Daddy’s little girl, no matter how old I am.