Reflections

No one makes me feel safer than Daddy. No one comforts me like Mommy. After a long travel day home from vacation, he carries me into the house late at night and Mommy tucks me in as I sleepily groan to the pleasure of my own bed.

He takes me to my first day at college, making sure my dorm has all the necessities of life and my purse has enough cash for a week of snacks. Mommy hugs me extra long.

Daddy sends me cash because I hitchhiked somewhere and can't get home. Mommy waits on the couch and hears me sneak in as dawn is breaking because she wants me to be safe - not just to catch me.

I tell my new husband, "I don't want to do that without asking Dad." and I wonder will I ever trust my husband the way I trust my Dad? I fall on the floor of Mom's house as she gladly takes the baby, makes the supper, cleans up and let's me rest - free of responsibility for just one evening and I am glad she is my Mom!

Dad buys us steak and lobster. We devour the moment, my husband and I, as we spent a week eating peanut butter and jelly to buy gas to visit.

We share Christmas with them, so happy to pay for all the groceries ourselves and have nice gifts for them to. Really nice surprises. What a joy. They let us do it and we are glad.

We go out to eat on a random Saturday and my husband grabs the check at the restaurant and we insist on paying. We want to honor them. It is our turn we say.

We clean out the spare room and bring their bed over. We get an electric chair to make getting up easier. It's only temporary we say. And here we are. I know they are going back home in August when Dad's broken shoulder gets better, but I also know a part of me doesn't want them to go. I thought this would be hard. It's not. It is natural and I want my dad to feel safe and to comfort my mom.