When I was a little girl, I was most definitely a daddy's girl. I loved my dad and wanted to be anywhere he was and do anything he was doing. Nothing made me happier than being with him. When my dad looked at me, I felt like I was the only one in the room. He made me feel special. He made me feel smart. He made me feel wanted. My dad has been gone now for six years and the overwhelming grief has slowly but surely given way to gratitude for the time we had. There are so many things that make me think of him and often make me smile or even chuckle. Yesterday was one of those days. My grand baby was here visiting and ended up in the office with her Papa Chip. They were looking at all of his pictures and when she finally noticed the one of her, on her Papa's shoulders, framed and sitting prominently on his desk. She was surprised and beamed with pride exclaiming,"You have one of me?" This interaction took me back to a time when I was visiting my dad's workplace and discovered my senior picture tucked neatly under a clear plastic desk protector. I remember how important it made me feel to know that he had displayed my picture for all of his colleagues to see. He always had a way of making me feel like I was his favorite. The holidays seem to make me think of him and the way he made everything a party. One of my favorite memories was what he did after Thanksgiving. He always cut up the remaining turkey meat to make turkey salad. I remember sitting around the table with him, talking and laughing as we completed the task. As I got dressed this morning I picked out a green sweatshirt that used to be his and put it on. Next, I turned the music on his favorite genre Southern Gospel music station and for lunch I had a turkey salad sandwich. It makes my heart happy to think of all the amazing memories I have of being loved by my dad.