Wow.

Some nights Dad would accidentally leave the radio on a channel he'd listened to a game on......he was never a fan of "new" country but somehow we listened to our share of it while we sat in his kitchen, smoking cigarettes, drinking a few Bud Lights and talking about life. He would make comments about the music but neither one of us would get up to change it....no idea why.

I ran across this song on a blog this morning, an odd series of clicks led me to it but I have no doubt somehow its Dad reaching out to me and reminding me that I am indeed ready to do this on my own. I've been struggling with his birthday being this week and with facing my little girl's preschool graduation tonight and her starting kindergarten next week, not feeling ready to acknowledge that SHE is ready to do things on her own.

Now I know we both can handle it. Thanks, Dad.

Wind blowing on my face
Sidewalk flying beneath my bike
A five year olds first taste
Of what freedom's really like
He was running right beside me
His hand holding on the seat
I took a deep breath and hollered
As I headed for the street

"You can let go now daddy
You can let go
Oh I think I'm ready to do this on my own
It's still a little bit scary
But I want you to know
I'll be okay now daddy
You can let go"

I was standing at the altar
Between the two loves of my life
To one I've been a daughter
To one I soon would be a wife
When the preacher asked
"Who gives this woman?"
Daddy's eyes filled up with tears
He kept holding tightly to my arm
'Til I whispered in his ear:

"You can let go now daddy
You can let go
Oh I think I'm ready to do this on my own
It's still feels a little bit scary
But I want you to know
I'll be okay now daddy
You can let go"

It was killing me
To see the strongest man I ever knew
Wasting away to nothing in that hospital room
"You know he's only hanging on for you"
That's what the night nurse said
My voice and heart were breaking
As I crawled up in his bed and said:

You can let go now daddy
You can let go
Your little girl is ready to do this on my own
Its gonna be a little bit scary
But I want you to know
I'll be okay now daddy
You can let go
You can let go