This is the part he hated. The goodbyes. He had spent more quality time with her this trip than in a very long time. She shone with a light that rivaled that of the sun. His baby girl, the one who loved him when she shouldn’t. But she did, and he thanked the Universe, God and anyone who cared to listen. Her blue eyes sparkled when she looked him in the eye and said, “I love you, Old Man,” smiling her perfect white smile. And his heart soared.
They had driven to Mesa Verde on Monday and spent the entire day seeing the old Indian ruins. They walked at least ten miles that day. And they spoke of everything that popped into their churning minds. Aware somewhere back in the depths that this day was too short and they had so much more to say. They laughed and joked and told little white lies. They hugged good ole-fashioned hugs. And he told her things that he had never told anyone. Things that pulled on his heartstrings and played a sad old love song.
She told him things that broke his heart, things that made him proud and things he would dream of, things that sung a song of hope. She had been through so much and had come out the other side a beautiful, strong lady. She had her whole life in front of her, and she was going to live it to the hilt. She had so much love to give, and in that way, she was just like him. So full of love that she attracted everyone to her. She smiled and said hello to everyone on the trails at the Mesa, and they would just light up. And her laugh was infectious. She is a good mother, and she is my daughter.
Back to the goodbye. They checked her bags in. She was flying first class; it was the least he could do. She performed her magic on everyone in the airport, and everywhere they went people smiled and said hello; wanting to share in their love. The canned voiced called her flight for boarding, Shit! They hugged one last time, and she bopped on down to her flight. He was glad she turned and waved; he was also glad she could not see the tear falling from his eye.
My Two Cents 