Chapter 6 

Daddy’s Unwavering Love 

I never questioned Daddy’s love nor felt any lack of love in my life. It was a constant, palpable presence, a warmth that enveloped me from my earliest memories. Daddy’s love spilled over into every word and action. He wanted to be my first and most trusted confidant. Daddy never wanted me to be afraid to approach him or talk to him about anything. He told me that he would do his best to answer me, no matter what the subject matter was, his unwavering warm gaze, his expression always open and kind, his head tilted slightly as he always listened intently.  His heart remained tightly plugged into mine.  I felt fully understood and validated in his presence. 

For some amazing reason, just being alive made me special in Daddy’s heart. Daddy verbally told me in every way that he loved me and hugged me every day. He told silly jokes and tickled me to make me laugh, his eyes crinkling, with his infectious belly laughter rumbling deep within him, pulling giggles from me. His smile lit up the room when he saw me enter, a beacon of pure joy that made my heart swell. He gave me a feeling of always being special in his day, his life, and his world. This wasn’t a fleeting flattery, but a deep, inherent value he placed on my existence. He reminded me daily how proud he was of me, making me walk a little taller. 

Daddy Was My Safe Space 

Sharing with Daddy was my safe space, a sanctuary.  I could reveal my most private thoughts and questions with Daddy. It was as if a mental door unlocked when I was with him. If I had a problem, he would work it out with me. If I needed advice, he would counsel me. If I needed to vent, he would listen and empathize with me and then help me to understand what I may have misunderstood. He was always fully present with me, sitting and staring directly into my eyes with love and compassion as we spoke. He provided my solid, unshakable foundation, a bedrock beneath my feet that never trembled, no matter how chaotic the world around me became. 

When I was stressed by life, it was Daddy I ran to for comfort. He would put everything aside and focus his complete and unwavering attention on me.  The moment I stepped into his presence, a wave of calm washed over me. When Daddy spoke to me in his soothing “I will make it all better” voice, a feeling of peace settled deep in my chest, and the whole big bad world would go away. After minutes with Daddy, my world appeared sunnier and more manageable.  He was affectionate and caring as we shared together, and many times we found life’s troubles quite amusing, which only strengthened our bond. 

When he needed to discuss something sensitive with me, he did it privately and never in front of others. Reprimanding me or anyone in public or even within our family, was verboten. This encouraged me to trust him completely, as he never betrayed or embarrassed me. When Daddy needed to discipline me, he brought me first to a private space where we could freely speak. He always wanted to hear my thoughts about the situation and why I made that decision, enabling me to share why I took an action. Then he would guide me by helping me to understand his older, wiser perspective.  

Daddy kept every conversation confidential. He was loyal and trustworthy. The relief of knowing my secrets were secure was immense, fostering an even deeper confidence. The safest place to store my teenage diaries was inside Daddy’s desk. He would never, under any circumstances, read them or betray my trust. This silent respect spoke volumes and highlighted his integrity.  Our relationship was sacred and could not be compromised. 

Always On My Side 

Daddy was always on my side, even at those times when I didn’t quite know what side I was on. He was my teammate, guiding me forward.  I could think, speak, and wonder out loud as I worked through things in my head, without fear of sharing random thoughts. He wanted to know what was going on inside me, especially the deeper currents of my feelings and fears.  He made the uncomfortable situations feel better by the time we finished talking, leaving me with a sense of clarity and hope.  

His method of correction was firm, yet understanding, a true lesson in accountability delivered with love and compassion.  Daddy didn’t bring up uncomfortable issues from the past or repeatedly berate me for bad decisions. Once we worked through an issue, it was buried as far as the east is from the west.  He cautioned me not to dwell on the past, just get up and try again. Move on. With him, I could breathe freely, a deep, cleansing breath of relief.  Life is too short to worry. For Daddy, failure was a new opportunity for me to learn. 

Daddy never spoke to me in an adversarial manner or with a mean or angry tone.  He did not discuss anything with me when he was angry. He would disappear for a while and then come back and be ready to speak with me when he was calm and receptive. It was more important to him that I felt the freedom to share. That must have taken tremendous strength for him.  I never wanted to disappoint him in any way, a silent vow I carried in my heart.  

Always See the Bright Side of Life 

Daddy helped me to see the bright side of every circumstance, like a skilled navigator pointing out stars on a cloudy night. He stressed the importance of understanding the potential outcome of any situation through maintaining a positive point of view. He said, “we cannot control what happens around us, but we can control our attitude and response.” This wasn’t just advice; it was a way of living that he embodied. He brought me positive motivational sayings, posters, and magazine articles that impressed him, planting seeds of optimism. I needed to focus on the positive, no matter what pain I might be personally going through. He said that my bright disposition would positively affect others and the world around me, changing the world for the better. How wonderful to be able to bring joy to the world through a smile! 

Daddy wanted the best for me in every way; even more than I could have imagined for myself.  His confidence in my future removed any anxiety I might have had.  I trusted him completely, a trust as deep and natural as breathing. The bright sun in my world rose and set with his love for me every day, each dawn a testament to his enduring affection. Daddy was my rock and my fortress, a formidable, comforting presence against any storm.  

I knew that I would always be “Daddy’s little girl”, no matter how old I was. That title was empowering, a seal of his unwavering love. It made me feel special to know that we had an indestructible bond that would hold us tightly together like a resilient rubber band that could stretch very far but would never ever break. I felt this as tangibly as if it was a physical bond, tangibly attached, a continuous thread of connection humming between us. 

When Daddy hugged me, a profound warmth enveloped me, and all my worries melted away, evaporating like morning mist in the sun. In Daddy’s warm, strong, sincere, heartfelt, reassuring hug, all was well with my world. I could feel the steady beat of his heart, smell the comforting scent of his aftershave, and a sense of absolute peace would settle over me. I felt secure, cherished and adored inside his loving arms. His hug was the purest and most all-encompassing feeling of love I have ever known. If I could create a perfect gift for everyone in this world to receive, it would be Daddy’s hug.