My daddy taught me to be grateful, to show grit;

to ask questions then listen closely to the answers;

to smile deeply and love without expectations.

He showed me that life, like riding a bike is more than just forward motion, it’s balancing on two wheels.

He chided me for tears that came from tantrums, but held me when the eyes were wet from things that go bump in the night.

He was my biggest cheerleader and my sharpest critic.

He was my love story before my heart grew wings.

For thirty years, I ran by his side at a steady clip.

But, it took loosing him for my legs to learn that they could fly.