Jessica

How could it be that my first born will be 34 in a few days.Where did the years go?It only seems like yesterday she was sitting in my lap driving on the bumpty road of our first house. I can still see her riding on the horse of the gym set that took Joe and I all day to put together. She was probably the fastest Hot Wheel driver ever as she rocketed down the drive way and turned on 2 wheels down the sidewalk.And how could I ever forget the day her and Jamie painted each other with lipstick-all over!When Josh was born she was so cute as she watched over him and in effect became his biggest admirer.I can still recall how strong willed she was and how she cried when she didn't want to wear a certain outfit to the Coosa Valley Fair.When I was working way too much she came crying one day to me saying Daddy you aren't spending enough time with us.I learned a valuable lesson that day.I remember the first time we went running together at Berry.Down The dirt road to Possum Trot her head started to pound and she wondered how her old dad could run farther than she could- that day would be the first of many runs we would share. At 12 she would begin making the turn that all fathers dread-from girl to young women.I remember her walking ahead of me at a basketball game and seeing the boys heads all turn toward her-what are you looking at young man ? That is not a girl that is my daughter! The teen years are always challenging. Boys,clothes,cigarettes on her breathe.....fortunately they can only last 7 years.We moved several times and so she had to change schools 3 times. The last time she decided just to get her GED and go to college.And I forgot to add move out of state and add 12 more kids to our new home. She has always done well with change although I am sure it was painful.In a house too small we built her a bedroom in  the garage.She survived bugs and all.As Josh and then Justin became more and more renowned for basketball she became known as their sister.I think both today would be glad to be known as Jessica's brother's.I remember on the last night she was home before going to college at UT -we were in the kitchen and it hit me this was her last night at home. I started to cry ,then her  and Jolene.No words were spoken as we held each other.She would go on to get her Masters in Speech Pathology.She would meet the man of her dreams and eventually marry him.We would have the rehearsal diner on Halloween and we all would dress in different costumes -I always wanted to be Elvis as did 2 other guys that night.The wedding was so beautiful and the reception at Golden Pond was spectacular with all the fall colors in bloom.A few years later we would begin to train for a half marathon.Jessica was about 2 minutes per mile faster than me so I would be dying after every run.The only thing that saved me was about half way thru our training she found out Julian would be arriving so she 'slowed down' to my pace.We would run every step together for 13.1 miles -one of my most prized memories.Perhaps my favorite run of all time was at Golden Pond .Jessica pushing Julian and me pushing Cash . It starts to rain when we begin and we run 4 miles in the rain.All of us are soaking wet but loving it.One day our world falls apart and there Jessica is right by my side.The time is so hard no one will ever know hard it was.How some days I am barely holding on and the only thing that saves me is the sound of her voice.I see her with all of her children and I marvel at how she loves them.I see her and Damien and thank her for giving me another son and him for being such a loving husband and father.I worked all day building a patio before you were born- I was totally exhausted.At about 9pm they came home and said tonight was the night.I tried to play a few things on the guitar but we had to go to the hospital about midnight.The next day about 4 or5 you were born.Carrot red hair.I was from the first moment I laid eyes on you amazed that God would bless me with such a gift.34 years later I am even more amazed and oh so thankful for you! I Love You Dad