My dad.

So my dad.

He really might be one of the best humans ever.

When I was little my dad was like a super hero. He was strong and brave. He was fun and silly. He was tough and sensitive.  My dad made funny faces. He talked in different voices. He pretended to be different characters like Little Boy Jackson and the Hulk. I remember once he actually tore off one of his t-shirts for effect with my cousins. We watched scary movies together and man could he dance! (still can) He worked hard and my sister and I had him wrapped around our finger.  I could share story after story of him being there. Of him stepping up. Of him exuding love and laughter.  From his forgetfulness to his devotion....he does everything larger than life.

I didn't know the things I would find out later. That his life wasn't easy like he worked hard to make mine. That he enlisted so his brothers wouldn't have to and was sent to Vietnam to proudly fight in a war only to return to hate. That he made mistakes and got in trouble. That his heart was broken.  That he almost didn't make it.

Finding those things out as I got older and could understand more only made me love him more.  He fought back against the darkest demons that haunt someone who has seen what he's seen so that he could live a full and free life....so that he could love.

He is honor embodied. And I am so thankful he's my daddy.

To be.

It's so easy to look at someone else

And to think you know their story.

It's so easy to look at yourself

And pretend what is...is not.

It's like we learn at a young age

To act right

To look good

To do it all

To make it count

And I'm not even sure 

Those messages are fully harmful

But I know we must also

Remind each other 

to be mindful

That acting right can be wrong

When you are having to fake it

That looking good does not matter

If you aren't feeling good

You can't do it all without

Losing some along the way

And you can't make it count

when you can't make it.

But dear one

In the midst of 

claiming your truth

Of proclaiming it's okay

to not be okay,

Don't neglect

to care for yourself

to get your rest

take your medicine

or see your doctor. 

Please take the time

That you need.

To be.

Because we need you to be.