Dear Dad, 

My biggest worry is forgetting you. I forget the way you used to talk, what your thoughts were. What do you think of me now?  I’m your little baby, all grown up, without you getting to see.

I’m strong Dad, I fight now; I fight for my right to be heard. I need to be heard - you taught me that.  But you can’t hear me, so everything else seems insignificant now. People seem not to matter.

How can I ever miss or regret anything when the saddest thing that has ever happened to me is your death. I’m not lost, dad, but I’m certainly not me anymore and I’m still deciding whether this is a good or a bad thing.

You missed me get my grades, you missed me learn to drive, you missed me turning 18, you missed me getting my first job, you missed me going off to University.  I can’t live with it because you should have seen it all. I wish I could talk to you.

If there is one thing I know it’s that I am going to change the world now. I’m going to change it for me but also for you. Because you told me I could. That’s the best gift a dad can give a daughter: his belief in her.

Remember when you told me the only thing I was spoiled with was love, if that was ever possible? Well, now I’m really missing your love.

I love you so much,

Your youngest daughter, aged 18