A Father’s Message to His Daughters

Hello Young Ladies: I have been thinking about the two of you a lot lately on this final day of 2014. I have been thinking about all of our mornings, when you were small, at the breakfast table and the conversations we have had about a certain little monkey and life. I have been thinking about all the weekend mornings we laid in bed and you asked questions and talked about all of your dreams. I have been thinking about all the visits we have took to the Magic Forest, to Grasshopper Hill, to the park with the long red tube slide (near the soccer fields), to the A_lt_ V_st_ Library and how we talked about beauty and peace and contentment and joy. Those are the most amazing moments I have ever had in my life. I will never forget them as long as I live. But while we have shared in so many special moments and had so many amazing conversations, in too many ways, I have been the stereotypical man, unwilling or unable to fully open up and express my heart and my feelings to you. I am sorry for that. So first let me say that, even though I wish you a good night and say that I love you (even if you cannot hear my voice), I continue to love you with all of my heart. I don’t ever want you to forget that your tremendous value and beauty as a human being. As my daughter. You are worthy and valuable and beautiful and loved… simply by being you. And that will never change. So refuse to ever buy into another narrative about yourself. I hope and pray that you will never forget that. Your worth, value, and beauty are also not defined by or dependent upon any man or woman. You are a beautiful young woman who must find her way in a complex world. I know that you can manage it. I love you with all of my heart. I will always be proud to be your father. Love, Dad