Daddy Comes Home

Elephants

In celebration of Father's Day, I share stories about each of the two Dads in my life in this blog and the next. Here's my first recall.

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Coming home is one of the most beautiful things.- Erika Cosby

It has been said that elephants have steel-trap memories. They never forget.

I'm not like that.

My brain is like the Bermuda Triangle. Information goes in and then it's never found again. I often lie and tell myself, I don't need to write that. I'll remember it. Like a beleaguered warrior in the recall war, I came, I saw, and I forgot what I was doing.

Yet there are choice moments in my life that have become a memory - such as this one of Daddy V.T.V., Jr.

It's a story that I often recount to Eldest Daughter. That day upon exiting St. Paul's hospital with Hubby holding our firstborn baby, I said, What now? 

Then a most-visual awe. Outside, awaiting us was a black, luxurious chauffeur-driven car that Daddy must have sent to take us home.

I'd deemed him mostly reserved. Distant for the most part. But that quiet gesture demonstrated what I had thought. That he had a generous, caring spirit.

He was there for us, giving us the best royal journey home.

On this Father's Day, I honor him and say, Thank you. 

Just us you had gifted us with that grand experience, we'd like to do the same and take you home.

In Passage. Brought back from Manila, Daddy's engraved marble plaque sits on a niche in our rental Waikiki condo. March 2025

Sometimes special people come into our life, stay for a bit and they have to go.

But the bit where they were here was noteworthy. 

Soaring High. Daddy's memory flies up with the framed white fairy tern on the midway atoll. His memory comes alive with the fragrance of peace lilies and plumerias.

That beautiful moment becomes like an old friend.

They may not always be on your mind, but they are forever in your heart. 

Daddy's Home With Us. Fresh-picked iris, peonies in full bloom and first rosebud nestled in peppermint and English ivy greens bid him, Welcome to our home. Your home now. Photo: V.E.V., Columbus, Ohio: May 2025