Sunday, June 19, 2011

A Simple Message of Love

Babe in the Woods

One night when I was four years old, my dad and I went for a walk to the local market. It was just the two of us. I rode on his shoulders. We looked up at the night sky together and had a conversation about the stars and the universe.

Dad

Though I don’t remember the specifics of what was said, I do remember the sense of connection and bonding that occurred over the course of our walk. He later told me that was when he first saw me becoming my own little person.

Loved

It was a special walk for both of us and we ended it with a little phrase that I do remember and that we would continue to say to each other for years to come. Just a few sweet words that would always remind us of that night. The phrase was, in essence, a message of love.

Dad

Messages of love were never in short supply with my dad. My mom and my sisters and I never had to question this man’s boundless love for us.

I love you dad. I miss you.

19 comments:

bonfire of my vanity said...

dude. don't be creeped out. but your dad is super hot. that last picture, he looks amazingly handsome in. he looks like he was a sweet and loving guy, too. what a sweet story. i'm sorry it sounds like he isn't around anymore. :(

Vashti said...

Im with bonfire of my vanity......your dad is really hot! I love the photos.

Abbie said...

Wow, what a beautiful post.

Ashlee said...

beautiful...

and your dad was quite the looker. ;)

moonshinejunkyard said...

so incredibly beautiful and touching, missa, this little story of love. your papa was a grand dude alright; i love that he knew how to create kindness and togetherness from words, that simple little message that the two of you shared...that's the beauty of language in its purest form. thank you for sharing this and these wonderful photos. His face looks so sweet and kind, even in the sassy last one.

Teeny said...

It is so important for little girls to feel that kind of unconditional pure love from their fathers. It helps us become great women. Your father was a very special man.
Txx
(and cute)

LF said...

the little moments are the best!

adorable post,

jess // LF

flaming hag folkwear said...

though your coloring is different, i see him in you!
what a wonderful father he was to you...makes me want to be a better parent that my kids may have such positive memories.
hope you and yours are well! xo

Flo said...

awesome cool long hair dad!

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PinkStripeySocks said...

what beautiful photos and what a beautiful post.

Thrifted Treasure said...

What a beautiful man, both inside and out from what you write, men who can express their love so openly to their kids are so special, you're a lucky girl :-)

anne said...

beautiful post missa!

all the photos are incredible.

Tera said...

Beautiful, beautiful man.

Alexa said...

What a beautiful father to have had in your young life! How wonderful to have such evocative photographs to cement your memories of him.Thank you so much for sharing!

Anonymous said...

it's taken me a minute to comment on this post, because the tenderness touches in on some of my own so poignantly, and it is hard to find words. the love between you is so apparent and dear, thank you so much for sharing it here. your words and photos ache with beauty. much love to you, missa. xo

Milla said...

Oh honey bunches, dear, dear Missakin, Nicole is right, you look so much like your Papa. It brakes my heart to see the way he looks at you, so loving, so devoted. The connection is so evident even in these photos, the love so abundant. Looking at these images and reading your words makes me so glad that you had such a wonderful father, who's spirit is carried on in you and your sisters and beautiful little Clover and her cousins. Thank you for sharing.

Andrea said...

Oh Missa! I'm very sorry to hear your Dad can no longer be with you. But these are beautiful images of him, and there is clearly much of him in you. I think those moments in which we share with our parents as children are so wonderful, something to be treasured and looked forward to with our own little ones :)

Violet Folklore said...

Oh honey. This is just the sweetest little thing I've ever seen. These photos are so beautiful and tender. Don't you think now, as a mother, "Is this a moment that Clover will remember like that?".

Oh Brigit. But yeah, he's pretty striking.

You're so blessed to have such a big family to remember him with, so many loved ones who loved him too.

Ah. Life.

Love you.

Nicky said...

This is such a sweet post! I love the pictures of you sitting with your dad (and what a handsome fella!). Sounds like fond memories that will stick forever! :D And I'm seeing a little Clover in that first shot of you!