10 Years

Wow.... I can't believe that I wrote this song 10 years ago... What the heck?! Even more crazy, I can't believe my dad has been gone 10 years, tomorrow to be exact. It's very surreal, because in some ways it feels a lot longer that he's been gone, but in others I swear I just was sitting in his lap yesterday. Here are a FEW of the very amazing memories I have of my daddy:

I remember when I was young my dad and I would have a ‘daddy date’ every Saturday. We would usually go to the county park and do some rock climbing or hiking. Then we would head into town for some ice cream. It was so great. It made me feel so happy and loved by him. I loved that it was just time for the 2 of us and it was our special thing.

When the weather started getting warm my dad, my best friend and I would walk to church on Sundays. We would usually all hold hands while we walked down the road. Usually any people we knew driving to church would honk or stop and say hello. My dad would usually be whistling and Anna and I loved to sing. It was just so peaceful and a great way to spend time together.

When I played soccer my dad would always write up game summaries and submit them to our town’s local newspaper. He did this every week. He had such a talent for writing and making things seem very exciting. I always thought it was so cool that every week my name was in the paper! It’s so neat to know how much he loved me by doing that. He always did what he could to make my brother and me happy.

My dad, brother and I used to play catch after he'd get home from work while my mom was making dinner. I remember when he bought me my first baseball glove, I was so excited! I actually still have it and I can't believe how little it is! I always thought I was so good at playing catch because I could catch the "fast" balls that my dad would throw at me. I thought for sure I was as good as my brother, who is 4 1/2 years older than me :0)

Everyone loved my dad. I honestly can't say I know of one person who didn't like him. A friend recently told me that her fiance had told her that Mr. Nysse was THE nicest man ever. It's true too. He almost seems like a dream, like "How can someone that amazing even exist?" kinda dream. My fear growing up was that I was going to forget him. I was so worried that as time passed I would just get used to him being gone and eventually not remember what it was like to have him around. But in the past 10 years, I have not forgotten him one bit. Sure, some details are a little fuzzy, but I know when I smell motor oil or anything that has to do with car maintenance, it reminds me of my dad. Or any guy who has permanently dirty finger nails :0)

It's weird to try and imagine what life would be like if he was still here. I can't really picture it. I know things would be WAY different for my entire family, but for better or worse I can't say. I would most likely not be in MD which is weird to think about. I tend to try and not think about these things because I don't see a point. I'm glad I can finally be at a point in my life where I am okay with things the way they are, and I know that I am a stronger person having gone what I've been though.

I wish that I could remember what I was doing this night, 10 years ago. Of course I remember what happened the next day like it just happened. I can recall most of what happened that day in a second. Sometimes I wish I couldn't because it sucks.

I could probably ramble on all night about my dad, and memories, and things I wish I had or had not done. I'm thankful for the people that God has brought into my life to help me through such a tragedy. I can only hope that people will remember me like they remember my dad.