Fathers Day

Kermit Lee Jones was my Daddy.  I never called him my "father" as it seemed like such a formal term.  He was Daddy to me from childhood to the day that he left this world.  He liked that I referred to him as Daddy.

"Any man can be a father, but it takes a special person to be a Daddy".


I think that I came out of the womb being a Daddy's Girl.  One of my favorite (yet most disturbing) photos of us together was from the day that I came home from Sharpstown Hospital in Houston, Texas.  My dad was cradling me in his arms, I was still wrapped in the hospital blanket, pink in the face and KLJ was holding me in his chair, staring down at me smiling while smoking a cigarette.  I suppose the "second hand smoke kills" campaign had not hit TV at that time.  I am sure that he was in love in that moment, I know that I was.


Growing up, I thought that he was a rock star (even though he was a fireman and business owner).  In elementary school he would occasionally arrange to bring one of the fire trucks to my school as a surprise.  The students went nuts and I was so proud that MY Daddy was the one that orchestrated these events.  In 3rd grade when my teacher, Mrs. Borque's husband backed out of accompanying our class on a field trip to a dairy farm, MY Daddy was the one that stepped up to fill in.  Granted on this same field trip, I was the only kid in my grade that would not attempt to milk a cow or even come close to an udder but, that is not the point of the story.

My parents divorced during the summer between my 7th and 8th grade year.  Needless to say, I was a little shocked to return from church camp to find half of our shit missing from the house.  That was a harsh blow but he made that summer so much fun for myself and younger brother.  He repeatedly told us how much we were loved by he and my mother and that they would always be bonded as our parents.  And, unfortunately they were which meant my dream of wild weekends while at his house when in trouble with Carolyn were trampled.


In high school I morphed into a bit of a rebellious teen.  I pushed the boundaries as far as I could then ended up grounded for the majority of my freshman year.  Since my parents were still close, my dad could come and pick us up or take us for weekends whenever his work schedule allowed.  As smart as I thought that I was, I was always out-smarted by one, KLJ.  If I was grounded at mom's house, he knew it.  Although, he would allow little things to slide and I was able to get away with much more by giving my famous, "pouty face".  The one thing that KLJ was strict about was school/grades.  He didn't expect perfection but he did expect me to  try.  Prior to college, most classes were a breeze and studying was not necessary.  I was not/still am not a math whiz.  Guess who was?  KLJ.


My Daddy was my hero.  He made sure that I knew that I was loved.  He protected me.  He supported me.  He was supposed to be here with me, to be a Papaw to my daughter and still be MY Daddy.  I think of what my life would be like if he was still here and it makes me sad but, I know that is always with me.  He hears me when I talk to him and he likely laughs, a lot.

Daddy, I think of you every single day of my life.  I miss you terribly.  Sailor looks at your photos and asks me to tell her about you, and I do.  She is enamored by firemen and motorcycles which I love as that is ALL you.  When she has trouble sleeping or is sick, I allow her to hold your pocket watch in her little hand for comfort.  Fathers Day is not a happy day for me because I cannot celebrate with you but I feel like the luckiest girl in the world to have had the pleasure to have had you as my Daddy.  


You were one in a million and I could never thank you enough for your love.  Happy Fathers Day Daddy.


Love, 
Kimmy