Author's Note: This short story, in the form of letters from Kaycee to her Dad, is dedicated to all the children who lost a parent on September 11th, 2001. We are all grateful to the heroes who died for us that dreadful day in history. Thank you.
Daddy,
Mommy says that you are with God now. She also says Hunter is with you too. We still have Hunter's doggie bed in the backyard.
Mommy misses you. Sometimes she cries while looking at your picture. I hug her. She says my hugs makes her feel better.
I want to hug you daddy. But the nice men don't know where you are. I told them you are with God and they agreed. Mommy later said they are trying to find your body. I told Mommy that your body is with God.
I miss you Daddy. I love you.
-Kaycee
***
Dear Daddy,
I miss you. I am eight years-old now.
At school, in my third grade class, we had Donuts for Dads because Father's Day is this weekend. It was hard seeing all my friends with their dads and I didn't have mine.
Mom's boyfriend, Brandon, came instead of you. It was nice of him, but it isn't the same. He isn't my dad. You are. No one but you will ever be my dad.
I now know where you went about three years ago. We talked about it at school a few months ago. You were saving people from those two towers that got on fire.
Mom found one of your old t-shirts while cleaning underneath her bed. I don't know how it got there, but I was praying that God would show me that you hear me and are with him. I think that was my answer.
Mom lets me sleep with it at night. I think it still smells like you.
I miss you Daddy. Love You.
-Kaycee
***
Dear Dad,
I'm ten now, Dad.
Mom and Brandon are still together. I know Mom is worried that you wouldn't like her to get married again. I think you want her to be happy. Right Daddy?
I think God needed you in heaven so you and the other angels can help people. You liked helping people didn't you Daddy? Is that why you become a firefighter?
I miss you Daddy, so much. I love you.
-Kaycee
***
Daddy,
I am twelve now Daddy. Today would have been your 38th birthday.
Mom and Brandon got married this past summer. I think you were there. I thought I saw you by Mom. Maybe that is why Mom cried, she saw you there to.
Brandon knows that he will never be my dad. I like that about him. I think Mom is really happy now.
I still sleep with your shirt. It still smells like you because I bought your cologne with my own money and sprayed it on your shirt.
I miss you so much, Daddy. Love you.
-Kaycee
***
Daddy,
It's been ten years since you've died, exact to date. And I'm fifteen now.
I started high school. I made the school basketball team, your favorite sport. I shot the winning point at the last game. As the crowd cheered and my teammates patted my shoulder, I thought I saw you in the the sidelines, cheering.
Your firefighting helmet was found today. Well, maybe not found today, but was returned to us. Mom let me have it in my room. Inside there was a note, untouched. It was dated September 11th, 2001. I think God let you know that morning was your last day, because you said, in the note, that you wanted Mom to be happy and give me a Dad to help Mom raise me. You said that you wanted me to be happy. I cried while I ran my fingers along the ink. I don't think I will show this to Mom. She is really happy now, just like she was before you died, it would just make her sad.
There is this boy named Greg. He is my best friend Daddy. He helps me feel happy again with you gone. Greg's dad was a firefighter also. His name was Thomas Johnson. You and Thomas are probably saving people with God's angels and our dog, Hunter.
I love and miss you so much Daddy. I can't wait until Mom and I can see you again.
-Kaycee
