A Day Late but 5 Years Strong

Yesterday was my Dad's birthday and I got to see him for breakfast which was really nice. If there's one thing college makes me miss it's definitely my parents. Some people dread being home but not me. I love my house and my family. I hope my Dad had a good birthday even though he had to work on it.

Here's another note for you all. 

This October my dad will be 5 years clean and sober. That means 5 Christmases where he was not given a wine glass at dinner. 5 years where my dad orders lemonade or ginger ale when asked if he wants something from the bar. It's 1826 days where I don't have to worry about him coming home. It's 5 years where he never once put his family at risk while driving drunk. But more than anything it's 5 years where my dad has totally been there. Every time I've looked my dad in the eyes for the past 5 years I saw the man who I love more than anything. There was a time where I would look into my dad's eyes and see nothingness. The black pupils were glassed over and seemed to represent an empty being. Now when I look in his eyes I see life. A life that is no longer lived with the vice of drugs or alcohol. For just about 5 years I've told my dad I love him everyday. Anytime he calls me I say it before I hang up. And truth be told I don't think I started doing it until he went away. When you have limited time to talk to your dad you start to cherish it. You make sure you tell him you love him because maybe that's what he needs to hear to make it through another day. 

5 years ago my mom made a huge sacrifice to try and save my dad. I'm thankful every day that she did what she did because my life would be a lot different if my dad didn't spend 90 days away from us all.

That's enough about me though. Here's to 5 years. And may the next 5 be just as great. 

Maybe in five year's time I'll be getting married and get to watch my dad order a lemonade from the bar. I look forward to the day where my dad puts on a tuxedo for my wedding and we sit down together and don't have a beer. There's nobody I'd rather drink a lemonade with than him.

I love you, Dad. 

NP: Dance WIth My Father- Luther Vandross