Daddy's Little Girl

Daddy's Little Girl

We used to curl up on the couch and watch Blues Clues until the streetlights came on.

He use to kiss my forehead good-night and tuck me in with my teddy bear, Benny.

He woke me up by tickling my ribs until I hic-coughed and laughed, then he would hug me tight.

He drove me to school in his shiny blue car, with the soft gray seats.

He cooked me suppers of roast beef and potato with jelly and ice cream for dessert.

One day Daddy picked me up early from school and brought me to the park.

He sat me up on the wall by the pond with the ducks and frogs.

He took some bread out of a brown paper bag and handed me some to feed to the ducks.

That day Daddy told me he had cancer and he would be sick for a while.

I started to cry and Daddy told me it was going to be okay as he stroked my hair. He told me Nanny would look after me.

I sniffled and blew my nose and hugged Daddy tight. He kissed my head and I whispered, "I love you, Daddy," into his ear.

"I love you too, Maria," Daddy whispered back.

One night Nanny and me were watching Blue's Clues because daddy was too sick.

I heard something drop and Daddy call out in pain and Nanny told me to concentrate on the show, she'd be right back.

Daddy went into hospital that night, but never came home.

Nanny told me that Daddy was taken to heaven by the angels and that I would see him again one day.

I asked Nanny why the angels took him. She told me it was because the angels needed him.

I missed Daddy, he was my best friend. He loved me when Mommy didn't.

Daddy told me he would never leave me, like Mommy did to us- but then he had to leave on that cold December day.

I knew it wasn't Daddy's fault; it was the angel's. I knew Daddy didn't want to leave me, he wanted to stay.

I was too young to understand the meaning of what happened at the age of six, but now, six years later, I do.

I know Daddy is with me in my heart and every night when I feel the soft lips on my forehead,

I know it's him kissing me goodnight.