The
PHOENIX
by : Elle Wright
STRONGER THAN SUPERMAN , TOUGHER THAN MUHAMMAD ALI , I once thought my father could do anything and beat anybody . As a little girl , he told us stories of fighting guerrillas in the Navy , and of driving down one side of the street while a tornado destroyed the other . He was stung by a wasp and didn ’ t even flinch . He wasn ’ t all tough , though . My father was fun , watched silly movies with us , taught us to swim and to cook . Oh , and he let me win at Monopoly . He was the first man I ever loved . My father wasn ’ t Heathcliff Huxtable . He wasn ’ t Uncle Phil . But he was mine .
Things changed when I discovered he was just a man . I couldn ’ t fathom the thought of him making a mistake , but he made many . So many , that I wasn ’ t sure he would ever bounce back or if our relationship would ever be the same . He had hit rock bottom . But God … God spared my father ’ s life and gave him another chance to get it right . I saw my father climb out of the ashes and reclaim his life despite all the challenges he faced along the way . He could have let his mistakes keep him down , but didn ’ t . He worked hard to become the man he is now . Watching his strength in the face of adversity has helped me become the woman I am today .
My father remains one of the best people I know — flaws and all . There is no one like my dad . His laugh can brighten any day , and his warmth can take away a chill on the coldest night . We don ’ t live in the same state , but he always manages to show up right when I need him . He is giving , loving , and determined to live his best life .
The lessons he taught me are lasting . He once told me to “ always keep a stash .” That stash of money has saved me many times over . He implored me to pay attention to what people do right , instead of harping on what they do wrong . He taught me the importance of laughter and spontaneity , of being open to possibilities and picking the right card for the occasion .
Because of my dad , I knew what I wanted in a husband — someone who was not afraid of hard work , someone who loved his wife and his children more than anything , someone who knew his way around the kitchen , the garage , and the workplace . I found all those qualities in my husband because of the example my father set .
I know that whenever I need someone to listen or to let me win , he ’ ll be there . I thank my dad for being who he is , and I ’ m blessed to be able to tell him Happy Father ’ s Day for yet another year .
He ’ s my daddy , my friend . And I will always be his “ girly-girl .”