Tax Day - Thinking of Dad

With Mom and Dad at Walt Disney World in 2002

Today is Tax Day, I thought of my Dad first thing this morning. It can't be April 15 without me remembering the celebration that we had at our house each year when growing up. We would all be relieved that we would get our Dad back at the dinner table each night and he would be home on the weekends again. All things I would give anything for today.

Many people told me that I will never forget my Dad. Others have confessed that not a day goes by that they don't think of the parent they have lost. At the time - I figured it was just a figure of speech. I've come to learn they were telling the truth. There really isn't a day that I don't think of my Dad. Most days I catch myself wanting to call him, or hear his opinion on something....and most of all I long to hear what he thinks of Jackson. Though I know hands down he would adore him - and Jackson would idolize him in return. Most days I just dream of what that relationship would be like. But one thing is for sure - I think of my Dad every day!

This week, Michelle and I were at the gym taking a cycling class. We claimed two bikes in the back against the wall. While chatting after the class Michelle noticed a frame on the wall. The frame held a poem that was a favorite of my father's. He would recite parts of it to us when we were faced with a challenge. In fact, this poem was framed on my desk during my college years. Dad still appears in my life today - even when I least expect it. Trust me, my cycling class is the LAST place I thought my Dad would peek in my thoughts. My Dad thought exercise bikes were for hanging clothes when the closet was full! :) But to our surprise - there was the poem and our talk turned to Dad.

I miss him.

But those three words seem so small when compared to the hole he left in my heart.

Here is the Poem that I mentioned above:

Don't Quit

When things go wrong, as they sometimes will,

When the road you're trudging seems all uphill,

When the funds are low and the debts are high,

And you want to smile, but you have to sigh,

When care is pressing you down a bit,

Rest, if you must, but don't you quit.

Life is queer with its twists and turns,

As every one of us sometimes learns,

And many a failure turns about,

When he might have won had he stuck it out;

Don't give up though the pace seems slow--

You may succeed with another blow.

Often the goal is nearer than,

It seems to a faint and faltering man,

Often the struggler has given up,

When he might have captured the victor's cup,

And he learned too late when the night slipped down,

How close he was to the golden crown.

Success is failure turned inside out--

The silver tint of the clouds of doubt,

And you never can tell how close you are,

It may be near when it seems so far,

So stick to the fight when you're hardest hit--

It's when things seem worst that you must not quit.

- Author unknown