Daddy's and The Dance

I was sucker-punched tonight. I agreed to take my 9 year old daughter, Samantha, to the Chloe Shiver benefit Father/Daughter Dance.

We started getting ready two weeks ago...

"Daddy, how do you like my hair?...."

"Daddy, what color looks best on me?..."

"Daddy,....."

"Daddy,....."

"Daddy,....."

I have come to the foregone conclusion: I LOVE hearing her say my name.

We danced. We laughed (Hard!). We went nuts to Footloose! We did the Train. Then we capped the night off with a treat - Krystals @ 9:30 pm. Nothing better.

While we were enjoying the beauty of buttered buns, we talked. One on one. About nothing. About something. But the most important thing we did that night was done over the table of the local Squat/Gobble and Choke/Puke....we talked. We connected.

We made a second covenant, too. I figure after 9 years of her life, I can afford to require ONE more absolute in her life.

The first Covenant came when she was three years old: "I promise to always be your little girl."

The second Covenant came tonight: "Even when we may be mad at each other; we'll always talk."

Doesn't sound like much. But to me, it's huge. She is going to make decisions in her life these next few years that I am NOT going to like (I'm assuming, here.) I'm sure I will make some decisions that she won't like, either. Bottom line: like them or not, we always talk about them. We don't run away. We don't hide. We don't assume they'll go away if we don't address them.

It's called Two Way Communication. It requires talking...and listening.

I am lost in the symbolism of the whole deal. God and I made a covenant together 11 years ago: "I promised to always be his adopted son, thru Jesus Christ."

I just got off of my knees and recommitted myself in this one: "Even when we're disappointed with each other; we'll always talk about it." I won't run away and pout. I won't hide. I won't threaten to stay home from Church if He doesn't change His mind.

All that does is drive the wedge deeper. If I'm honest, even when I disagree with His decision, I'll never want there to be a wedge. I'm searching for unity.

To be one with the God of my life, Jesus Christ.

I think I even heard Him tell me that next time, He'll meet me @ Krystal.