A Father and His Daughter

As we walked into a restaurant today at lunch, I noticed a man and his daughter sitting at the bar in a local restaurant.  I was just drawn to them. They were sitting side by side, and as Steve and I sat down waiting on our food, I observed them as they talked.  They were sitting so close, you couldn’t have put a piece of paper between them.

The young lady was probably 13 years old, and she was telling her dad a story, something personal she had experienced.  She was very animated, and you could tell whatever had happened had touched her deeply.

Her dad was very calm, and never took his eyes from her face.  He heard every word daughter said, and daughter knew it, with all her heart.  When he started talking to her (and not in correction), she visibly calmed and listened to him - their conversation never missed a beat.  They were definitely in their zone.

It was a very cool thing to watch.

She got up, and walked past our table to refill her drink.  I said, “She’s beautiful!” Steve commented that the daughter might have some attitude, as she flounced by him.  I had a clearer view of her from where I sat, and I said, “Maybe, but I think it’s more “confidence” than “attitude”. She knows she’s her daddy’s daughter, and she’s cool with that - and in her God-given place.  Watch.”  

So, we did.

Beautiful. Absolutely beautiful, this father with his daughter.

"Daughters" by John Mayer

I know a girl

She puts the color inside of my world

But she's just like a maze

Where all of the walls all continually change

And I've done all I can

To stand on her steps with my heart in my hands

Now I'm starting to see

Maybe it's got nothing to do with me

Fathers, be good to your daughters

Daughters will love like you do

Girls become lovers who turn into mothers

So mothers, be good to your daughters too

Oh, you see that skin?

It's the same she's been standing in

Since the day she saw him walking away

Now she's left

Cleaning up the mess he made

So fathers, be good to your daughters

Daughters will love like you do

Girls become lovers who turn into mothers

So mothers, be good to your daughters too

Boys, you can break

You'll find out how much they can take

Boys will be strong

And boys soldier on

But boys would be gone without the warmth from

A womans good, good heart

On behalf of every man

Looking out for every girl

You are the god and the weight of her world

So fathers, be good to your daughters

Daughters will love like you do

Girls become lovers who turn into mothers

So mothers, be good to your daughters too