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Jimenace

Jimenace
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January 22
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Salon.com
AUGUST 18, 2009 12:29AM

Letter to my Daughter

Rate: 19 Flag

 

 

I've asked myself many times what it is I would say to you if it was the last thing I would ever tell you.  Would it be a simple "I Love you Mija" or would it be something really cool and deep like "as the moon follows the sun so my soul follows the light"... ok maybe not so cool and deep lol =D Anyway, my point is simply that there is always so much more that I want to tell you and talk about but never have the time or the opportunity.  So with pen in hand and a clean sheet of paper nothing should be able to stop me - at least that's the plan.

  

Look both ways before you cross the street.

check your blind side Twice before merging or turning - Twice, 'member.

Have a plan, it always helps in the long run.

Remember the long run but don't look so far ahead that you fall in today's hole.

 

Hmmm....and so on and so forth.

  

Think about the time when you felt the most joy in your life and picture it in your mind.

 

Think about another time, and another.

 

When you wake in the mornings, as your inner eyes start to open, hold these moments in your mind one after the other.  Feel them as much as you can.  If you can't think of any - you're not looking deep or wide enough.

 

Mine are –

1) The day you were born.  I was in the hospital with your mother not really knowing how to feel while your mother screamed bloody murder.  I didn't know until you woke up on this side of the looking glass, a loud brave little thing covered in life and letting everyone know at the top of her lungs.  I wept.  I'ld never known true love until that day.

 

2) The day when your brother was born.  It was as if I had been waiting on him for a long time.  The accident your mother might say - but never truly that, no one is.  I didn't think the joy I felt when you were born could be any greater - but it was doubled now with you and him in my life.  I wept once again and fell in love with life once more. 

 

3) A day when I slept by your mother's side, I must have been eighteen barely.  I woke up beside her and snuggled - I felt so in love I could burst.

 

4) A day when I lay next to Sonya and felt so in love again (to Sonya from her david) I would die.  A deep permeating feeling that goes from the tip of your head to the nails on your toes!  It was crazy but it was good.

  

Those are my days that I think about in the mornings when I remember.  I really try to visualize each and relive it as much as I can and then some. 

 

It's easy to do this in the mornings.  Now here's the hard part - and its my point (if i had one lol).

  

Think about them when you are at your most low or most angry, when everything is falling apart or seems to be going against you...  think on what brought you the most joy and re-live it.  Think on these and know I love you...

  l_e843ec2b7cf044c88fda23dee62b8062

 My daughter :)

 

 

 

me and son - crazy

 Me and my Son - yes, I saw something pretty in the distance - it must have been shiny, notice the odd look on my face. Daughter took it - she loves to catch me looking funny (lost, crazy, on LSD) lol.

 

 

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My Girlz! daughter and her girlfriend :) love them to pieces.

 

peece!

dj

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Oh David, you made me cry. The idea behind this is beautiful, and the execution even moreso. I hope your daughter reads and truly appreciates how dear and tender a soul she has for a father. I think of you as a brother, but I would be more than honored to have you as a father, my friend! I know Michael would echo these sentiments if he weren’t napping right now.

I’m supposed to be responding to comments (including your precious words!), but I had to take a break when I noticed you had a new post :-)

—Melissa
Thank you Melissa - this was a tough one to read for me - one year after writing it out for her on a 'parchment' for part of her 17th Christmas gift. It puled me out of the current 'crisis' ~ thank you for being here this late :) You are both precious people to me.

peece,
dj
How incredibly beautiful and resonant. I know that feeling - always more we want to impart to our kids, but how to do it in a way that maybe it will stick - and which things are most important? You did good here, man . . . really, really good!
Owl! thank you for coming by :) Yes - I'm glad you can see the difficulty - how can we? Thank you for 'feelin' this -

(still updating pics :)

peece!
dj
How could I not feel it, man - parenting at its best and worst is all about trying to get the message across! :~)

You've got a gorgeous brood, there, David - beautiful peeps!
Thank you Owl - Alyssa (daughter's GF) is my third child now by 'decree' :) and yes they are all beautiful - thank you for saying so as well!

peece,
dj
"Think about the time when you felt the most joy in your life and picture it in your mind....Think about them when you are at your most low or most angry, when everything is falling apart or seems to be going against you... think on what brought you the most joy and re-live it. Think on these and know I love you..."

Well said Jim, and fathers everywhere should be so wise.
Nanatehay - Thank you, Sir - from the bottom of this heart.

peece,
dj
Rated for the lost on LSD look on your face. Your kids are cute! Guessing they get their looks from their mom?

Haha! ;) Just kidding, great post!!
Of Course! lol - thanks Tink ;)

peece!
dj
dj, thanks for this. It's a nice departure from your regularly brilliant poetry and provides us with a personal side as well.

Above and beyond all of that you are a wonderful father and for that you have all the respect I could ever muster for someone.
I know this was written for your daughter but is good a good life lesson for anyone. Good timing for me.
You are a fortunate man to have such beautiful women in your life.
There are so many levels to this and all of them struck a chord with me. As a parent, I understood the wisdom you so beautifully want to impart to your daughter. As a daughter, I wished my parents had done the same for me instead of focusing on college and career. As an individual, I saw so much in your words that I will try to remember. Thanks, it was perfect. And I loved the photos -so full of personality and joy!
Wonderful, loving and revealing. I like you more all the time for your big heart David.

The people around you look like they know joy. That isn't all that common these days, I'm sure you must be spreading it around.

Your daughter's picture reminds me of a girl I knew in high school. She was a little shy, a real beauty, had a great laugh, and was a secret treasure to her small circle of friends.
Yes, it is the moments which give us our greatest joy that can sustain us throw our lowest lows...if we remember to think of them. Great reminder to do it more often. Sometimes music can take you there in an instant.

Timely for me. Thanks.
lovely. your children are strong and beautiful.

I spent the past weekend driving back and forth to spend time with family and friends and its amazing how nomatter how tiring this can be - love renews and refreshes.... whenever I spent time with them I feel as if I have showered in happy.
Dude - that was so sweet and genuine. You are a strong man to reveal yourself so thoroughly.

I just loved this.
Manchu Wok! Thanks for stopping by. I came accross this last night and felt like I was talking to a different person even though it was me. Had to share after that. thank you sincerely for the sentiments :)

Life is Good! "I know this was written for your daughter but is good a good life lesson for anyone. Good timing for me." I feel the same way about the timing - it was surreal for me and much needed. I am happy to read you enjoyed this. Thank you.

mamoore! "Thanks, it was perfect. And I loved the photos -so full of personality and joy!" You are too kind, but thank you :) I am always happy to hear how writing touches people. Thank you for stopping by and the kind comments.

BuffyW! "Yes, it is the moments which give us our greatest joy that can sustain us throw our lowest lows...if we remember to think of them." True words, I need to keep that on my calender and perhaps tatooed somewhere. Thank you for coming by - music does that to me too :)

nofrillsmonkey! "lovely. your children are strong and beautiful." Thank you very much - of course I see them only through a father's eyes. I appreciate your kind comments. I love this - very true: "I spent time with them I feel as if I have showered in happy."

Duaneart! Thank you for the kind comments. I am a lucky person to have them in my life. And I count myself luckier still to share this. I'll take strong and settle for determined to 'live' if I have a choice :)

Thank you all for sharing this with me. It has really changed my outlook on things. It may sound a bit 'hokey' but it is sincerely true.

Peace All,
dj
Awww. So wonderful and special. (God, those words just don't mean what they should!) I really enjoyed reading this. Your kids are so lucky to have such a cool father. ;)
Beautiful! How lucky your daughter is to have a father that can and will express these things to her!
Lovely letter! very sweet and great advice
I am sure she will treasure it. (And they are good-looking children, to boot.) :)
thank you for sharing this. you are nice.
your children, lovely :)
Gwendolyn Glover! Thank you for stopping by and your kind comments :) your thoughts touch me and i appreciate them sincerely.

zashin! Thank you - I want to make sure she knows how I feel in case I never see her again, it's a work in progress for all of us, methinks :)

Delia!! Happy to see you here. Thank you for your thoughts. Don't be a stranger ;)

Rolling!! Thank you for your comments :) peace and love.

peece!
dj
Tayler Bloom! Thank you very much for dropping in, your thoughts, and the fav - fav you back :)

peece,
dj