On September 30, 2003, my daddy departed from the Denver International Airport on a plane going to Anchorage, Alaska at approximately 5:35 p.m. This was hard for me because he would not return for 2 weeks. But when I said he was going to Anchorage, Alaska, that didn't mean that was his final destination!!

You see, my dad was going into the wilderness for two weeks to hunt for deer, caribou, moose, bear, halibut, and elk. But you see, my dad loves this, so part of me wanted him to go, but the other part of me hoped that he'd stay. He's such a big part of my life and, I love him very much, but having him leave for 2 weeks was so emotionally painful, I just couldn't bear it! I missed him so much, I just didn't know how I would deal with it!

But there I was, in my room, hoping that he'd stay and my dad was already packing the car with my Uncle Al, who went with him, while my mother and I took care of his dog Meggy.

Then, I heard my dad starting the car! I thought that I had better go with him. I sure didn't want to waste a second with him before he left. I decided what shoes to wear, then shot out the door!

Boy! A half an hour drive to D.I.A. goes the speed of light when you've got a million things on your mind! But as my dad got out of the car, my mind exited dream world and entered reality, facing the fact that my dad was leaving and I couldn't do anything to stop him! Then, when I got out of the car to say my good-byes, my throat became choked with tears and all I could get out was, "I love you." Then I gave him a hug.

I stepped back, watched him for a moment, then regretfully got back into the car. Since you can't stay long at Passenger Pick-up, we drove off, and as we did, I had my face turned backwards all the way until I couldn't see him anymore then I turned back around to consult my mom.

The whole drive back I cried, wept, groaned, and mumbled until I was too tired to carry on.

The next few days weren't much better. The house was quiet and subdued, the downstairs living room was quiet and still, and my heart had an empty space that used to be filled with the joy of seeing his face.

I missed my daddy so much and I counted down the days until he came home.