Daddy, Daddy...Watch Me!

I still remember the day I went for a run when a woman with two little dogs on separate leashes stopped to give them a breather and enthusiastically said to me, “Wow...you’re a fast runner!"

I was stunned but kept going, only then to have few clumsy words tumble out of my mouth in response, "Oh, bless your heart.”

You've got to understand. I am not a fast runner. Okay, maybe if you put me up against a first grader I might be considered fast. But that’s about it, even on a good day.

I actually started jogging the summer after my senior year of high school. Even still I only run in very small doses. And sometimes when the weather is bad I decide I’m not in the mood and then take the whole week off. This simply translates to the fact that I don’t invest much time into this sport and consequently I’m a bit slow on the draw.

But here’s what I noticed after being applauded and celebrated by a complete stranger.

I noticed how her empowering words had a very powerful impact on my energy, my mood, and my stride. In fact, her words echoed repeatedly in my head and I not only started telling myself that I must be a fast runner if this lady said I was, but I literally started running with slightly increased speed!

The result is that I embodied her observation.

There really is something robust and potent in positive words spoken, even random observatory words from a bystander.

This got me thinking back to when I was a little girl. I remember wanting my dad to notice when I was running fast or doing something that required an extra dose of physical strength or stamina. I wanted him to watch and be proud of me for working hard and pushing hard. Those two things always went hand in hand.

There was something about my dad applauding me that seemed to make it more true and valid. Another way to say it is that we as daughters thrive when we have a dad who believes in us even when we don’t believe in ourselves.

Dad, your daughter needs you to see her now, just like when she was a little girl.

And since a picture is worth a thousand words, this one says it all.

Here’s my friend Jay, a dad who now is cheering on his daughter from heaven. I love this picture he posted on social media a few years ago where he was actively engaging with his precious daughter Ava.

Both the picture and his corresponding words have melted my heart when he wrote: “Her biggest weapon on the field is laughter.” 

My first thought at reading Jay’s words and seeing this picture was: “How incredible that he’s close enough to hear her laugh.”  

Though this dad now only hears his daughter’s laugh from afar, his words still ring true. I know his forever deposits into her life are still yielding positive dividends today. And I imagine Ava is still saying to her dad as he watches and listens from his heavenly home, “Daddy, Daddy…watch me!”

Dad, remember that cheering from the stands is well and good. But always make sure you’re close enough to hear and see her up close too.