My Dad

My life was going pretty good....I received news that my children and I were approved for a new house from Habitat For Humanity!!! I was so excited. Everything with school was going good. I was finally getting a new routine down so that I can juggle classes, work and home responsibilities. Then on Friday, September 19, 2008, my kids and I had just gotten home from work/school. I was in the processes of cleaning up the mess the kids made of their dinners when I looked out of the front door and saw my dad's truck sitting out in the driveway. My kids were excited to see him. I opened the front door as he was getting out of his truck and let Kylia greet him on the sidewalk. He picked her up and brought her in the house. That's when Calen came running to him with his arms up and a big grin. My dad went to sit on the couch and my kids just climbed all over him. They are crazy about Big Daddy. I could tell something wasn't right. He didn't talk much except to the kids. I was telling him about things that had been going on lately, and he didn't seem to really pay attention or be excited. I just figured that maybe he and his girlfriend were having a problem. I didn't want to be nosey so I didn't ask what was wrong. Then he said, "Kisha I've got something I need to tell you".


My first thought was it was going to be news about my Big Mama. She's been sick lately. But it wasn't her. The news was about himself. He leaned back on the couch and looked up at the ceiling. Then he looked over at me. His eyes were red. He told me that he is going to have to go to Birmingham and have one of his kidneys removed. I asked why? I thought it was due to his diabetes. He said it's cancer. A mass was found on his kidney and they want to remove the entire organ.

The devil is working so hard to knock me down and he has pushed a button. My dad and I are very close. Everything I know and all that I am is because of him. God blessed me with an awesome dad, and I can't picture life without him. I feel like a little kid. My heart is broken, but at the same time, something tells me that my dad will be just fine.

On a great note, on the same date mentioned above, my baby sis had her baby that night. My
dad, bro-in-law, baby sis and I all made a bet what we thought the sex of the baby was. My dad got it right...I'm the proud aunt of a new baby niece named Avery Grace Jones. 7lbs 7oz. She had to be sent to Huntsville Hospital due to breathing abnormalities, but nothing to be alarmed about. My baby sis doesn't know about my dad yet. We're waiting on Grace to come home and for Meka to get better before we tell her.

After my dad told me the news, he got ready to leave. The moment was awkward. I stayed strong for him. I didn't cry. I talked to him and assured him that he will be taken care of and I will be right there. As he walked down the sidewalk to his truck I just stood in the doorway with the kids and we watched him. I started imagining life without him. Then all of a sudden a flood of childhood memories came rushing back of moments with my dad. They were all moments that he taught me something. It took 34 years for me to realize that the superman in my life is simply human. He walked down the sidewalk with a little bit of a limp and he was leaning just a little. I could tell he was in pain. Then I thought of taking the easy road and letting myself be mad at God for letting this befall such a wonderful man. But I didn't do that. I continue with praise. I watched him get in his truck and drive away with my daughter in my arms. She was waving at him. He waved back and disappeared past the building next door. Then I broke down...

I still give God all the praise and thanks. He has brought me through many things and He will bless my dad and my entire family with the strength we need to make it through to the other side of this storm.

I love my daddy. He's my best friend.