Dear Daddy,

Hey, how are you doing? Ha, compared to what- a root canal or a hurricane.. that's what you'd say. Well, myself, I'm not so sure. I miss you so much, your voice, your hugs, your jokes, your hearty laugh, your infamous antics... There are so many people here that feel the same way. But dad, I know that you are here with me, and I also know that you will always be there. Everywhere I go, something reminds me of you, and you know what daddy, it's always something funny.

I saw a police car yesterday with a light out and it reminded me of the story you told about taking out a fellow deputies' taillights so he'd you know, get pulled over.. Then I was walking through Walmart perusing the aisles, oh wait I can't tell that story, there are young children around, but you know the one I am talking about. Oh dad, I loved listening to your stories, but I also loved being there when stories were made, which was almost everyday. You have quite the sense of humor. Just ask any waitress we've ever had, they'll tell you about the funny guy who could tell a joke with a perfectly straight face. Which I practice, but can never quite get.

There are so many things I admire about you and hope to accomplish for myself. I want to be just like you when I grow up dad, brave, patient, persistent, strong, loving, funny, and absolutely brilliant. I know I have told you a million times before, but I mean it now more than ever. I don't know if there is anything you haven't done, you have served your country, and community, but most of all you have been the greatest dad in the world. I mean, how many fathers go tromping around their daughter's first house, in the attic on a hot summer's day to make sure it is safe? Or equip them with duct tape and power tools "just in case" That's you dad, always thinking. I promise! to take good care of your tools too, because I knew how much they meant to you.

And I hope you know that you mean the world to me, you were always there for me dad, I don't know how, but you always knew the answers. Except to your own questions, I hope that now you have found them. That the pain is gone and you are free- finally. This world wasn't enough for you dad, you were destined for something more. I hope you've found peace. But know how proud I am to be Charlie's daughter, and how incredibly special our bond was- like no other father and daughter.

I will miss our talks about nothing in particular, I will miss harassing mom, I will miss conning you into mud masks and Biore nose strips, and coloring your hair. I will miss flying down Barlow Road at 100 miles an hour. I will miss your smile, how you say hello when you answer the phone and know it is me, how hard you shake hands, how you always introduce yourself as "Angevine Belgicovsky- from the polish secret service!"

But with all these things I will miss, there are millions more I'll remember. You are everywhere daddy, camping, thunderstorms, the farmers market at 6:30am, you are in my heart. When I look in the mirror, your eyes stare back. There is so much of you in me, and I am so lucky for that, you will always be a part of me. I have no regrets daddy, all I ever wanted was for you to be free, and you are now. The last 3 words we said to each other were "I love you." That will stick with me forever, I remember exactly how you said it too, it was so full of emotion, but also the same way you said it every time. So full of love.

Daddy, I hope I make you as proud of me as I am of you, everything I do, I am doing for you because that is what you did for me. You will always be my daddy, and I will always be your little girl.

I love you,
Nikki