Looking for comfort in Father's Day memories

Waking up to Father's Day and knowing Dad isn't with us anymore just doesn't get any easier. I knew the emptiness would be there, just not so sharp still...

I went through the Sunday newspaper, looking for comfort in our coverage of Dads on their day. Reporter January Holmes found a heartwarming common thread of what Dads want today, and it's family. And Vin Mannix dedicated his column to all the Dads who make our lives whole.

But I found what my heart was trying to hear in a Paul Simon tune, Father and Daughter. (It was one of the featured tunes on WMNF's early morning show last week, prepping us for Father's Day.)


Here are the lyrics:

If you ever leap awake
In the mirror of a bad dream
And for a fraction of a second
You can't remember where you are
Just open your window
And follow your memory upstream
To the meadow in the mountain
Where we counted every falling star

I believe the light that shines on you
Will shine on you forever
And though I can't guarantee
There's nothing scary hiding under your bed
I’m gonna stand guard
Like a postcard of a Golden Retriever
And never leave till I leave you
With a sweet dream in your head

I'm gonna watch you shine
Gonna watch you grow
Gonna paint a sign
So you'll always know
As long as one and one is two
There could never be a father
Who loved his daughter more than I love you

Trust your intuition
It's just like going fishing
You cast your line
And hope you'll get a bite
But you don't need to waste your time
Worrying about the market place
Try to help the human race
Struggling to survive its harshest night

I'm gonna watch you shine
Gonna watch you grow
Gonna paint a sign
So you'll always know
As long as one and one is two
There could never be a father
Who loved his daughter more than I love you

I'm gonna watch you shine
Gonna watch you grow
Gonna paint a sign
So you'll always know
As long as one and one is two
There could never be a father
Who loved his daughter more than I love you

I'm learning to spend time cherishing memories of my Dad, and remembering he's still out there rooting for me.

-- Joan