#TornadoGiveaway 2 GOOD BYE DADDY by @BatteredHope Carol Graham

I needed more time. I needed him to breathe normally. I needed HIM. But the time had come. It was his time to go.

I could tell by his breathing pattern how my words were affecting him. When the breaths came rapidly, I knew he was becoming emotional. When they were slower, it meant he was calmer.

I told him how much I loved him; how much I appreciated my heritage and the morals and values he instilled in me. I thanked him for putting up with my incessant babbling when I got excited.  I reminded him how he would offer me 25 cents to be quiet for five minutes when I was a little girl. I felt him smile inside.

I thanked him for the blessings he graciously bestowed on me for the decisions I made in my life. I knew this was often difficult for him to do, but he did it – in love.

I promised him I would raise my children as I was raised, with high morals, good work ethics, and a love for our Heavenly Father.

I asked forgiveness for all the times I messed up in my life and for any harsh words I might have uttered when I was angry.

I thanked him for the life lessons he instilled in me. As a girl, I did not understand how much of an impact these lessons would have on my life, but now realized they helped form who I have become.

He taught me to never put off until tomorrow what I should do today “Do it right! Do it now!” He taught me to always be the first to forgive – in any situation, no matter who was at fault.

He taught me to feed my faith, instead of my fear, because what I fed would grow and what I starved would die.

I didn’t want to say good-bye. I knew it would be the last time I would say those words to him. But it was time. He could not utter any words but his breathing told me how my words were affecting him.

“Good-bye Daddy. I love you. Please tell Mommy how much I love and miss her too. I will see you again someday.”

Silence. It was over. He was gone.