Happy Mother's Day Daddy!

In 1989, 20 years ago, I was away spending the night with my bestest friend Tabitha. We were both 9 at the time. We were staying at a condo on St. Augustine Beach.

I remember playing in the salty water and it still being cool since it was only April, the greasy feeling of the sunscreen, feeling the heat radiate off my sun burnt face despite the sunscreen.

I remember the weather was beautiful, the sky the bluest of blue. I remember staying up late watching none other than my favorite movie of all time the Wizard of Oz. I remember laughing and giggling under the covers when we were told to go to sleep.

I remember being shaken awake by Tabitha's Mother telling me I had to go home, she had to take me home now. I remember it still being dark out and the clock reading 4:00 Am.

I remember the talk that we had during the drive back to Starke, Florida where we lived at Kingsley Beach. The talk about God and how sometimes he does things we don't quite understand. I remember the reassurance in her voice as she told me that I was going to be a beautiful woman someday despite everything that was fixing to happen.

I remember pulling through the gate at Kingsley Beach and everyone standing there with long faces. I remember Nancy my Mom's best friend and Tabitha's Grandmother coming to get in the car with me. I remember the silence before she could find the words to say.

I remember this... "Kori there was an accident last night and your Mom, she didn't make it. She's gone honey."

I remember the salty tears that felt hotter than ever on my sun burnt face.

I remember waiting in the diner for my Dad. I remember when my Dad walked around the corner and his eyes met mine and we both began to cry.

I remember my Dad swooping me up into his arms and hugging me and weeping into my hair.

I remember walking to the end of the pier out into the middle of the ocean with my Dad. I remember sitting there on the end with our feet dangling in the cool water, holding hands and not speaking a word.

I remember all the days that followed that one terrible day.

I remember starting a new School and moving in with my Dad permanently, not just for a visit.

I remember Mother's Day every year beginning in 1989. I was in the 3rd grade and all the other kids were making pretty pink cards for their Mother's.

Mine was made from light blue construction paper and it read...

Happy Mother's Day Daddy!

I love you more than there are grains of sand.

Love, Kori

Every year since then, every card has read the same.

Wishing you all a wonderful Mother's Day!