The Waning Light

Less than a month until the light dims 'round these parts. We're faced with the reality that life is about to take a serious downturn. My wife is about to be without her doppleganger, her partner in crime. My son is about to lose the only person that he truly and completely lights up for every time he sees them. I am about to lose my precious little girl.

Before the next thirty days is over, more than 2000 miles will separate my daughter and I. I'm working on a letter to give to her, a vain attempt to quantify my feelings for her. This is the first draft:

My dearest and most precious baby girl,

You are the best daughter that any man could ever be fortunate enough to be blessed with. You came to me at a time in my life that was filled with uncertainty and doubt. I was at the point in every person's lifetime where they begin to question their purpose and what life has in store for them. My purpose and what life had in store for me was answered the first time I held your wrinkled, pink, little body in my arms. My purpose was to be your daddy.

I knew in that one perfect moment that no matter what life had in store for me, I would never again question my purpose because of you. My life had meaning. You gave me meaning.

Once before I was cursed with the pain of being ripped away from you. As much as it hurt me to go through that, I was thankful that you were so young and you wouldn't have to live with the memories of that day. But now, years later, it's all happening again, and this time you're old enough to understand. And to hurt.

I don't want you to live with anger in your heart towards your mother or your step-dad. They both love you very much and they only want a better life for you, a life they feel that would be better lived away from the only home you've ever known. But you have to believe, and you have to know, that no matter the distance that may separate you and I, I will always love you and will always carry you in my heart every moment of the day.

Your brother, your step-mom, and I love you very, very much. You have brought so much joy and happiness into our lives and we are thankful to have you in our lives.

Time and distance can not stop love. Remember what I told you, whenever you feel lonely, whenever you feel like you can't take the pain of missing me or the rest of us that are left here without you, look to those mountains. Remember that your daddy grew up in those mountains. Look upon them, and look to the east where the sun rises and know that I am just beyond that place, waiting and wanting to be with you, and that we aren't that far away.

I love you Sweet Pea.

-Daddy