At about 3:20 pm today I got an email from my Dad.
Seriously!
It was short, and sweet. It told me all that I needed to know for now. He got my letter (he called it a "beautiful letter"), he's shocked, we have much to discuss...and to give my Mom his love.
That's it.
I answered back (after some tears and a phone call to my husband). I told him to take his time, and that when he was ready, I'd be here. I thanked him for letting me know he had received the letter.
I feel like I can sleep well tonight. Although there is still a lot that I don't know, I do know a few things.
1) I know that he got my letter
2) I know that he thought the letter was beautiful
3) I know that he is dealing with the shock
4) I know that there is a lot on his mind that he wants to talk about
5) I know that he is thinking about my Mom
6) I know how to reach him via email when I want to
And that's all I really need to know for now.
Thanks, Dad
(I'm calling him Dad here because I don't want to use his real name. I have NEVER called anyone Dad in my entire life and I'm not sure how easy it would/will be to start and I don't know that he would be comfortable with me calling him that either.)
I'm exhausted. I got a beautiful email today from Left Coast Mom who was concerned about some of the things I had mentioned about not being able to sleep and feeling very distant from people lately. She educated me, gave me some great ideas and her compassion touched me deeply. You just never know where love and kindness will come from. It is why I believe in karma. I believe that you reap what you sew and I must have been sewing well at some point because I've been reaping so much from so many lately.
To top it all off, my sister-in-law (not knowing what was happening at the time), sent me this video which made me cry again. Especially when I saw the message at the end. It's a little sappy, but you can see why it was so amazing TODAY!:
OH, I'm delighted that he responded! That was the major fear for me is that he wouldn't, so I'm overjoyed, Kris. What a wonderful start to this, especially since he thought your letter was beautiful. It was!!
Posted by: Margaret | July 22, 2008 at 11:20 PM
I am so proud of you honey. Your strength and courage is inspiring. I love you very much and will be right by your side as you explore your new relationship with your dad.
Posted by: Dan R | July 23, 2008 at 12:30 PM
am I too late? :)
I'm glad he got in touch--and so quickly!
I hope you slept well.
Posted by: Melanie | July 23, 2008 at 01:22 PM
That's amazing, Kris. Many many congratulations to you for getting up the courage to do this, and then to actually put yourself out there. That's a great personal achievement and says a lot about who you are and what's important to you. Getting that response back is the icing on the cake.
Posted by: Christine | July 24, 2008 at 01:12 PM
The video was amazing. wow is all I can say. I love you, Krissie, and I am gald we are taking this journey together.
Posted by: mom | July 28, 2008 at 01:34 PM