Walk with Me, Daddy

"Mommy, pack up the camcorder, we're going to the beach!" yelled Kevina Kay.
"Make sure the battery works," chimed in Kaylyssa Cindy.
"I'll start the car and load up," was my contribution.
My wife Kathy finished packing items a family of four would need at the beach for a day.
It was an ordinary day in Hawaii ... sun you could drink in, air you could taste and water you could feel washing away your cares. Occasionally, I wondered if we shouldn't be taking the girls on more educational outings. I mean, we did a fair share of cultural and educational trips, but it seemed lately, when a day was to be grabbed, we grabbed it and did ... well, nothing.
Not long after we arrived at the beach, Kevina, our oldest girl, turned to me and asked, 'Would you walk with me, Daddy?"
"Sure," was my nonchalant reply. "Let's get Mommy and Kaylyssa and go on an 'explore.'"
"No, Daddy, just you and me, please," Kevina Kay pleaded.
Kevina Kay took my old used hand in hers and we set off. After a few warm moments of silence, she began, like the ocean, to envelop me in her world. Then she spoke, "Daddy, just listen, don't interrupt, okay?"
That's easy, I thought. "Okay," I said.
"I wanted to walk with you to thank you for my life."
I stumbled a little as she said this, my heart tugging at my emotions, but I remembered my promise and stayed silent.
"If I die, I want you to know I had a great life. Don't think I'm dying or anything. I just wanted you to know I love you. You are a great daddy, you took us everywhere, caves, mountains, Hawaii ... I have friends everywhere and most of all, I get to be a kid. Some of my friends worry about their mommies and daddies, some about money, some about where they are going to live. I only worry about kid's things. You love mommy and us until we are all squiggly inside. So, if anything happens to me I want you to know that I thank you for my life and for being the best Daddy ever. We can go back now. Race ya!"
Boom! She was gone, giggling and scurrying down the beach as only one of those odd beings who was one hundred years old one minute and a five-and-a-halfyear-old the next can. I picked up my heart and swallowed a prayer. So much for thinking we were doing "nothing." I tried to run, but I couldn't. It was too hard to catch her through the tears.

© 2003 by Kevin Hughes

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Kevin Hughes is the most hilarious relationship comedian.
He talks about love, differences between women and men,
emotions and everything related to modern couples.

To find out more,
visit: http://www.staytogether.us
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This article was first published in Chicken Soup from the Soul of Hawaii

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