My sweetest memory of my Daddy is our Daddy/Daughter outings. We didn't call them dates then, but they were time for just the two of us. We'd drive a pretty good distance to the walk-up ice cream shop, a very early version of Dairy Queen. Not like the restaurants they have now, but more like our local Bo's here in Tampa. He and I would get dipped cones. He'd buy a shake to take home to mom. We'd climb back in the car and on the drive home he would sing this little song to me. I never heard it anywhere else, until my cousin used it in her wedding.


The Lilac Tree

A little boy and a little girl
In an ecstasy of bliss
Said the little bot to the little girl,
"Pray give me just one kiss"
The girl drew back in great surprise,
"You're a stranger, Sir," said she
"And I will give you just one kiss
When apples grow on a lilac tree"

The boy felt very sad at heart
She was the only one
And the girl felt quite remorseful
At the terrible wrong she's done
So bright and early on the very next morn
He was quite surprised to see
His little sweetheart standing in the garden
Tying apples on a lilac tree

Happy Birthday, Daddy.

Lying in Church

Today the words caught in my throat and my voice stopped, because I knew I did not totally buy what I was about to sing. 

Did you hear it today? 

“If more of You means less of me, take everything…” 

Really? My health? My “rights"? My job, financial security, dreams for my marriage or for my child? Take it? 

Easy singing. Tough living. 

May it become so.