A Letter

Dear Daddy, Do you remember when you were big and I was small? When your rough voice sang Sweet Child O' Mine to me? Do you remember when you pulled me up onto your skyscraper high shoulders and your laugh reverberated through us? What about when Mommy left and your tears frightened me? When I patted your curled fists as each sob pierced me to the core. Dear Daddy, Do you remember the letters we passed back and forth so preciously, and the way your dried tears were strewn like bodies on a battlefield? Do you remember your surprise when my head reached your chest, and my once-long hair fell clumsily into my eyes? What about the day you were released and I ran screaming into your arms, crying with delight. Do you remember that? Dear Dad, Do you recall the pain in my voice when I congratulated you on your marriage as we huddled together for a family photo? Do you recall the excitement when I was turning thirteen and I could tell a judge I wanted to live with you instead? How about our broken breaths as we both held back tears when you chose to move six hundred miles from me? Dear Dad, Do you remember the day you taught me to ride your blue motorcycle? How we laughed when I couldn't stop. Do you remember our pain when you were in your accident? My panic when I got a call from your wife? What about the agony in my tear-filled eyes when you told me you were dying, and salty lines tracked down my face? Dear Daddy, Can you even remember what life was like before your disease came and forever stole you away?