by Pamela Sigler Taylor

Created on: June 23, 2008   Last Updated: October 31, 2008

My father was a military man. He was always in charge a summer camp somewhere in the United States. Each summer my family would travel to another state to spend about two months in our little camper. My family lived in our camper a lot. It was that or not see our daddy all summer. The summer of my favorite memory we had camped on a beach in Florida. It was late June. Most days were hot and humid but not today. The sun was hidden behind the clouds. But my father and I decided to take a walk on the beach. It was Saturday and he was not going in to the base today. The ritual of walking along the water's edge while collecting shells had become a pattern for us. On this particular day daddy and I walked for a long while. We talked about things that I don't recall. But, I do remember being with him and sharing his love for the out of doors. My father was a man who taught me to cherish the little things that God provides. We shared he sun rise, the wisp of air that touches your face, the call of a gull flying overhead. We talked and walked for a long while. But that was not unusual. What was unusual was that day and how it brought us closer. As we walked we began to notice a change on the horizon. The colors of that cloudy morn had changed into dark ominous cloud formations. The winds began to hasten and we began to head back to camp. Soon, the wind began to toss the sand into our hair and into our eyes. My father looked for someplace that he and I could take cover. We found a big rock that had come to rest on the beach. We knelt down behind it. My father took the protective role. He placed his body over mine and kept the sand from tearing at my bare legs. He sheltered me from the winds and the tormenting rains that had been stinging my fair skin. As we knelt I was not afraid. I knew my daddy would take care of me. We were there for a while, just him and I nestled together like a father bird and his nestling. As the storm subsided we rose and once again began our walk back to camp. We were both damp and full of sand, but I didn't care. My dad and I bonded that day. We meshed two souls forever changed. I look back on that day as one of my favorite moments with my dad. How I wish I could go back and recapture that feeling once more. That memory is etched into my soul forever and I know one day he and I will once again walk on the sandy beaches and he will hold me in his arms once again. Until then I will always remember.

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