I See My Father in Me

https://youtu.be/wVRpRkletY0?si=xj5uuD6Hh9JXR42R

Even though today it’s been a year since my father passed away, I see him every day.

I see him as I pass by the mirror when I wake up early in the morning wearing nothing but boxers.

I see his mannerisms when I’m running on autopilot, doing the same things he probably would be doing.

I see him when I help people in need; no matter how busy he was, he always had time for others.

I see him when I really get laughing and can’t stop. His laugh was infectious and made everyone join in.

I see him smile in the morning brushing my teeth.

I see him when I cut my hair really short.

I see him when I procrastinate or when the garage gets to be a mess.

There are many times throughout the day I swear he’s right behind me because I can smell him. But it’s just me because we have the same scent and his breath smells a lot like mine.

I see him every day when I am really struggling with someone and the first thing that pops in my brain is, “They’re doing the best they can.” Like him, it takes a lot for me to get mad. He had a patience with people that far exceeded anyone else I know.

I see him every day when I answer someone, “I don’t know,” which was a normal response from him when he needed more time to process something. Because I do the same thing.

I see him every day when it’s hard to cry over something I should naturally cry about; and when I do, I hide it.

But even though I see him every day, I miss him terribly.