When you lose a parent, the strangest things make you miss them or make you cry. Sometimes it's the food I am eating or the place that I am, but there are many ways I miss you, Dad.

Dear Dad,

1. I miss you in my turkey sandwich.

Most days, you would eat a sandwich, whether it be turkey or salami or ham, after lunch and before dinner, right around the time I would come home from school. You'd make me a sandwich too, or I would just steal the second sandwich you made, because Lord knows you made more than one sandwich. I loved sitting on the kitchen counter and eating a turkey sandwich with you. I hadn't eaten a turkey sandwich since you went to heaven. I cried the first time I ate a turkey sandwich again. I miss you in my turkey sandwich.

2. I miss you in my rehearsals.

Every Tuesday and Thursday, I would have choir rehearsal. Tuesdays were Liturgical choir, and Thursdays were competition choir. After rehearsal, I would come home and sing the songs we were learning to you and practice the solos with you. You'd give me pointers and encourage me to do my best. You came to every concert or show I was in. I miss you in my rehearsals.

3. I miss you in The Fairly Oddparents.

You were a big kid. You loved to watch cartoons with me and Andrew. We'd watch all of the classics: Teen Titans, Spongebob Squarepants, Danny Phantom, Avatar: The Last Airbender, Jimmy Neutron, etc. One of our favorites to watch together was The Fairly Oddparents. With Timmy and his pink hat, we always had something to laugh about, even as I got older. Sometimes I miss old times when nothing mattered except for which bad wish Timmy made next. I miss you in The Fairly Oddparents.

4. I miss you in my history classes.

In high school, I was a straight A student, except for history. For some reason, history was never my best subject. Fortunately, you loved history. You loved anything and everything that had to do with history. As you saw my struggle with history, you did everything you could to help me. You stayed up countless hours after your seemingly too early bedtime to help me study for the hardest tests I took in high school. I always did better when I studied with you. As I start my history class over the summer, I miss you in my history classes.

5. I miss you in Alexander Hamilton.

You helped me develop a love for music. Although I loved your music too, I always loved listening to a musical if I had the chance. You didn't mind when I turned off your music to put on Zombie Prom or Little Shop of Horrors or whatever other musical you probably didn't want to listen to. You loved seeing me fall in love with music. It wasn't until Hamilton: The Musical came out that you started singing along with me. I knew every word to that 47 song musical, and I'm pretty sure you weren't far behind me in knowing every word. I still listen to Hamilton: The Musical, but sometimes, I wish you were here to sing along too. I miss you in Alexander Hamilton.

6. I miss you in my monologues.

During my junior and senior year of high school, I took Acting I and Acting II. I had to learn a few monologues for the two classes, and I always had you help me. You had me go through every line and repeat it three times, since that's how many times it takes to memorize something. You could've been doing other things, but you always chose to help me instead. As a theatre major in college, I always miss you in my monologues

7. I miss you in everything I do and everywhere I go.

Dad, you are everywhere. Everything I do reminds me of you. I am who I am because of you. I l fell in love with music and theatre because of you. I try new things because of you. I am kind because of you. Everything I am and everything I do is because of you. I miss you in everything I do and everywhere I go.

You were my best friend. You are my best friend. You will always be my best friend. I love you more than anything in the world.

Love,

Your babygirl,

"Little One,"

Kady Elizabeth

EAL 4/20/2016