My dad, in his all knowing way, approached me last weekend right after Patrick left for Prom with the idea of me going with him to South Padre Island for a whirlwind trip. He's doing some work down there and knew that life had thrown me a few twists and turns recently and thought I needed to get away. I had no reason to say no, so early Sunday morning he pulled up outside my house with my step-mom and step-sister in the car and we headed to the airport for a very quick trip.

The island in a lovely place to visit...fairly quiet and quaint with charming people. Dad has a very eclectic group of friends and business associates there and we spent most of yesterday sitting on the patio of Amberjacks, a wonderful restaurant, talking and getting to know these people and learning more about the island. The sun was brighter than I had remembered and I left there with a whopper of a sunburn, a new group of friends, and sense of awe after watching my dad work his business magic.

This morning we, the girls, shopped and ended up back at Amberjacks for lunch and some Mojitos. Dad was still meeting with people and we were introduced. Today there was something very comforting about hearing him say "This is my daughter, Linda". Maybe it was the twinkle in his eye or the sound of his voice, or just knowing that for the first time in 20 years I was his daughter and not just the mother of one of his grandkids. Dad and I don't get a lot of time together despite living less than a mile from one another and it just felt good and right and special. A little spot in my heart was healed today, one that I didn't even really know was hurt. That healing came simply from the comfort of being with my dad.

I can hold my own in most settings but it is often hard to get a word in edgewise so I resorted to looking at some of Dad's paperwork. I saw something that I had quite a bit of knowledge about and brought it to his attention and it became the topic of conversation. Up to that point nobody really knew anything about me and when they asked what it is that I do I explained quickly about my passion for children, teaching, and autism. One gentleman's eyes lit up and he told me about a friend who he was insistent that I meet and talk to as soon as possible. Cards, emails, and numbers were exchanged and I am fairly sure that I'll meet this person before the end of the week.

That's all great and I will be excited to meet this person, but the power of the weekend came from the love of my dad, from the touch of his arm on my shoulders, hearing him tell me how glad he was to have me there to meet his friends and see his project, from the tenderness in his voice as he apologized for leaving me to bake in the sun too long, and from the wisdom he had in suggesting that I get away.

There is great power in a loving dad. Sometimes we forget as parents that we have that kind of power in our children's lives. It is a huge responsibility but I am a prime example tonight of a woman whose heart was touched and softened by the power of her dad.

I will be a better parent tomorrow. Tonight I just want to encourage you to do the same.