Most Sunday nights were spent crying at the garage door as I watched the green Chevy Trailblazer round the curve down the driveway of our suburban home. Those nights were followed by a massive bowl of strawberry ice cream and promises from my mother that two weeks without daddy will “go by in the blink of an eye.”
As a young girl, I never understood why my dad was not present at special events or even my birthday parties. During school, my friends would talk about their fathers waking up early in the mornings, traveling to work, and coming home in time for dinner. Why didn’t my dad do that? Why was he always on a plane traveling other places rather than to the same office every day like everyone else’s dad?
To the baby girl with the traveling father: do not shed a tear, put on your bravest face. Before you know it, he will be walking in through the door with all his luggage just waiting to scoop you up. Do not get jealous of all the other little girls getting picked up by their fathers after school--instead, run into your mother’s arms and thank her for being the best mom in the world.
To the little girl with the traveling father: just know that he is always thinking about you. Whether he is at a meeting, eating dinner with his work buddies, or simply falling asleep miles away from home, he is wishing he could eat dinner with you and tuck you into your pink twin size bed. Blow out your birthday candles, and make sure to quietly share with him what you wished for on the phone that night.
To the teen with the traveling father: keep in contact with him when he is away. It may be “uncool” to be close with your dad in middle school, but he will always be there for you whenever you want to talk. Do not shut him out. He is your number one supporter and even though he may have missed that championship game--call him and give him the play-by-play even if it was not your best game.
To the sad girl with the traveling father: no matter how many miles away or the time of day, he will always be more than happy to listen. As much as he does not want to hear about a boy or a test you did terribly on, he will listen anyway. If your brother just tackled you to the ground and punched you in the arm, he will always secretly take your side.
To the high school girl with the traveling father: high school is going to go by in the blink of an eye, share every moment with both of your parents. There may be events that your dad misses but don’t hold a grudge against him. Take pictures of events and record recitals so he is able to virtually be there by your side. As you’re slipping on that gown and placing the cap on your head in June and he is absent, just know he wants to be in the audience. It may seem unfair, but just remember that your dad is working for you, your brothers and sisters, and your mom.
To the girl with the traveling father: When you hear the door handle jingle and twist open, rush to it and leap into his arms no matter how old you are. Sit and talk to him, learn from his experiences and listen to his advice. There is nothing like spending time with your father and no one knows that like girls with a traveling father.
