Tuesday, May 8, 2018
Dad, your kindness to friends and strangers meant more than you realized, and you will be missed more than you could ever know.
I remember you teaching me how to ride a bike. I remember you lighting and taping every one of my ballet recitals. I remember the phenomenal castle you built for me (with the SCETV props guys). I asked for a Barbie dollhouse, you sniffed and said you could do much better than that, and gave me a castle. I remember you [trying] to teach me how to drive a manual transmission -- boy, was that a day! I remember how proud you were when I graduated early, and how you thought grad school was kinda silly. You believed in success through working hard and doing your absolute best. I remember how much work you and Renee put into my wedding, which was absolutely amazing. I remember the look on your face as you walked me down the aisle, proud with a touch of wonder.
I think of you every time I see a yellow rose, every time I see interesting rocks, every time I watch 'The Princess Bride', and during every nature show. I critique the lighting of every single movie that I watch, and thanks to you, I'm able to point out what works and what doesn't work, how the entire mood is changed by lighting. I wear a quartz crystal that you gave me, on a chain around my neck every day. You were my rock, the one I could depend on when I was struggling so very hard. You took me to every doctor's appointment, and came in with me to learn more about my personal demons.
Your struggle with alcoholism, and your triumph at beating the demon, inspired me to quit drinking, and I'm now coming up on 15 months completely sober. The change in my life was shocking.
I inherited your perfectionism, and your natural eye for design. I think of you every time I start a painting... Watercolor is the form closest to painting with light, so of course that's the art I chose.
I salute your zany humor by clipping clothes pins in random parts of me house. You made the world a brighter place. Shine on, Dad, and please watch over me. I miss you so much.
Love, Jo