A letter to my Daddy

Virgil Williamson, I write this letter to you in Heaven. From the moment of my birth I knew you were the father, the daddy Heaven predestined for me. For that reason above all others I was delighted to be yours, a daddy's girl.

As I grew in strength I wanted to follow in your footprints and to follow you. when those surrounding us called you Willie and me little Willie I was tickled pink. My words fail to adequately convey what hearing them say, "there goes Willie and the kid, Little Willie", meant to me.

You were a cattleman with a single orphaned calf, still I ran with all my strength to catch up to you and your wider stride. I wanted to be beside you as we worked together to feed the calf. My sister named her Taffy. she was five years younger and hadn't quite learned to say Calf. still I think we were both proud to be your daughters, the Williamson girls.

When you and mother tried your hands at owning a Texaco station in Saint Martin's Mississippi, I was happiest when I was draped over the fender of a car next to you. I didn't know what I was doing but I wanted to be there. I wanted to be a mechanic in training. i apologize to mama and all the frilly pink dresses she attempted to put me in. Pink dresses and frilly panties were sacrificed to the person I most wanted to be like.

After sundown when you would sing those country songs and play your guitar I was more than content to be seated at your feet looking up at you wondering why you weren't in Nashville. Those Grand Ole Opry stars didn't have anything on you. You could out sing and out play any of them. Your answer was Nashville wasn't for you or your family. I knew in the depths of my heart you were being modest.

I'm sure you knew but, occasionally when I thought you weren't looking I would sneak a sip or two from your beer can. Jax brewery made the best beer. It was this child's opinion.

I could talk about some bad things you did and allegedly did but, that's best left to antagonists and those cynical adults who haven't lived in your house or walked in your shoes.

Happy Father's Day!!