24th March.

There's two things I know for sure:
She was sent here from heaven and she's
daddy's little girl.
As I drop to my knees by her bed at night
She talks to Jesus and I close my eyes and
I thank god for all the joy in my life
Oh, but most of all
For butterfly kisses after bedtime prayer;
sticking little white flowers all up in her
hair; "Walk beside the pony, Daddy, it's my first ride."
"I know the cake looks funny, Daddy, but I sure tried."
In all that I've done wrong I know I must
have done something right to deserve a hug
every morning and butterfly kisses at night.

Sweet 16 today
She's looking like her mama a little more everyday
One part woman, the other part girl.
To perfume and make-up from ribbons and curls
Trying her wings out in a great big world.

But I remember
Butterfly kisses after bedtime prayer; sticking
little white flowers all up in her hair.
"You know how much I love you, Daddy, But if you
don't mind I'm only gonna kiss you on the cheek this time."
With all that I've done wrong I must have done
something right to deserve her love every morning
and butterfly kisses at night.

All the precious time
Like the wind, the years go by.
Precious butterfly.
Spread your wings and fly.

She'll change her name today.
She'll make a promise and I'll give her away.
Standing in the bride-room just staring at her.
She asked me what I'm thinking and I said "I'm not
sure-I just feel like I'm losing my baby girl."
She leaned over...gave me butterfly kisses with her mama there,
Sticking little white flowers all up in her hair
"Walk my down the aisle, Daddy-it's just about time."
"Does my wedding gown look pretty, Daddy? Daddy, don't cry!"

Oh, with all that I've done wrong I must have
done something right.
To deserve your love every morning and butterfly
kisses-I couldn't ask God for more, man this is what love is.

I know I gotta let her go, but I'll always remember
every hug in the morning and butterfly kisses.

-Butterfly Kisses by Bob Carlisle

This song has always brought a hollow pang.

I've never had the privilege to play Daddy's Girl- that was what little sister was born for.

On the other hand, my relationship with my father has always been distant.

I barely have any recognition of my dad from my childhood. He was always posted outstation for work. Even when he wasn't, he was a workaholic driven to build a career for himself. Consequently, I hardly saw him.

My father had a ferocious temper. He was also a strong proponent of corporal punishment.

The former characteristic, coupled with work stress and the latter belief did not make life easy. There were many times when I thought I hated my father. There were many times when I hated my life, simply because you can't choose family.

However, his temper has mellowed over the years. He also works a lot less and spends more time with the family, having already established the career he was so keen on 20 odd years ago.
Unfortunately, a building's strength will always bore down to its structure and its base. No matter how much weather durable paint you coat it with or whatever you do to make your building stronger, it always will bore down to its foundations.

Sad to say, it is foundations for a loving father-daughter relationship that we lack.Of course I love my daddy. It's just that I can never show it. I guess we'll forever be stuck with the distant relationship we have perfected.

I'll also continue to feel that familiar pang whenever I hear Bob Carlisle sing about butterfly kisses.