Thanks, Dad

Dear Dad,

Last night, we brought the girls to the Gaylord Texan. We spend one night here around Thanksgiving to start the Christmas Season by seeing the ICE Show. The hotel is very proud of this show, and they have set the admission price accordingly. But the girls really enjoy it, so we have made this an annual tradition. I calculated that we can make it work without changing our budget as long as we give up food and air conditioning for 10 months each year.

After dinner last night, Ella led the way back to our room, and I watched as she navigated the crowds and hallways and never took a wrong turn. It was our first time at that restaurant, but she knew exactly where she was going. I thought to myself, “She has an incredible sense of direction.” It reminded me of someone else I know. I know someone who could visit a place just one time and be able to give you turn-by-turn directions to that location for the rest of his life. She did not get this gift from me. Some days, I need Google Maps to make it to my mailbox.

Then, I thought about how right before dinner, Audrey popped a 101 fever. One pill of Tylenol later, and she was giggling and cackling by the time we sat down to dinner. This little one is tough. In her six years, I’ve seen her endure more pain than most people experience in a lifetime. And she just shrugs it off. She has a tolerance for pain that I’ve only seen in one other person. And I’m glad that person gave it to her, because she has needed it more than anyone I’ve ever known.

Nine years ago, I was eating Thanksgiving dinner at my in-laws’ house when Amy called.

“You need to come to the hospital as soon as possible. We have a meeting with hospice,” she said.

Hospice. Everyone knows what that word means.

When I walked into the hospital, I saw Amy talking to the cardiologist. I joined the conversation and heard the doctor say, “Your Dad’s kidneys are never coming back.” Not the thing that you want to hear any day, much less on Thanksgiving.

You went to heaven nine years ago today, and I couldn’t find anything to be thankful for that day.

But I can now.

I’m thankful that my little girls got so much from you.