Of course, this is perspective. Emily felt like it would be FOREVER before she was eight.
We feel like she was just two. Where did the years go?
One thing Roger really loved was little girls. They were always drawn to him and he was always drawn to them. Sweet ones. Adorable ones. Even the ornery ones. He had a way of making them forget their orneriness and changed it to laughter.
He was truly a father of daughters. They had him wrapped around their little finger, as the saying goes. He knew it and he loved it.
He loved spending time with Emily, and she, with him. And I don't think it was just about ice cream. She had him wrapped around her little finger too. It was a pretty special bond these two had.
He picked her up from school that day. It was not the original plan for the day. Kristin called and said, "Daddy, Emily said this morning......." and he said, "No problem, I'll pick her up. I can run later."
And he did. He always arrived at school early. She was always the first in her class to be picked up when he did the pickup. He took her to the playground and said they would to Allen's (Ice cream) tomorrow. They had a plan, those two. They had many dates at Allen's. And he dropped her off at home - and went for his run.
And life changed for all of us.
And possibly more than we will ever know for this precious girl.
We made this birthday - number 8 - a week long party, and we did not really talk much about it, but we knew it was not the same and never would be again.
But she was a trooper and smiled and laughed and enjoyed her day. Just as Ro-Ro would have wanted her to do.
Ro-Ro would have been proud of his precious grand baby on this special, but tough day.
Indeed, proud of all of us.
Okay, I am crying. Sweet post.
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