Part I:
Dana Kunkel!!
You are one of my favorite people in the entire world--you never cease to make me laugh. You are so ridiculously fun to be around and I simply cannot wait to finally get to see you this weekend and tthen to hang out with you this summer.
I think I must mention a few memories: AP Bio (phospholipid bilyar, asking Ms. Leuchner right before the AP Exam if sperm had flagella, Dr. Kisalus, making Brian ask me out lol), AP American (there are no words to describe that class), Fencing (BUFF STATE!), Starbucks (you're a plumpmobile), DeGrassi, EVERYTHING I'm forgeting.

Dana K, I loev you and I miss you!!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!

PS. Don't forget the LEMERS!! LEEM LEEM!
PPS. Are you from Tennessee? Cuz you're the only 10 I see
PPPS. Don't hurt me!

Part II:
i only need one more day
just one more chance to say
i wish that i had gone up with you too
and i'm sure the view from heaven
beats the hell out of mine here
and if we all believe in heaven
maybe we'll make it through one more year
down here

you wont be comin' back
and i didn't get to say goodbye (goodbye)
i really wish i got to say goodbye
and im sure the view from heaven
beats the hell out of mine here
and if we all believe in heaven
maybe we'll make it through one more year
i hope that all is well in heaven
cause it's all shot to hell down here
i hope that i find you in heaven
cause i'm so...
lost without you down here
you wont be coming back
and i didn't get to say goodbye (goodbye)
i really wish i got to say gooooodbye
~Yellowcard~

You see, my father was my favorite person in the entire world. He was my hero and the most wonderful person I knew. He got me thru everything and he was the greatest father to ever live. I love my father so much and the fact that I haven't seen him in a year is just the worst thing that could happen to a person. Its not like I know he isn't in a better place. My best friend in the entire world left me a message last night that really cheered me up--she said that my daddy's probably hanging out with the Pope right now and making him laugh harder then he's ever laughed before. I'm laughing right now thru my tears. Its funny because you know its true. Its like when my Grandpa died (a year from two weeks from now) and all anyone could say was I bet my daddy met him at the door to Heaven and said "beat ya". My daddy was the funniest guy. (you know what I say about raindrops :)) He could make anyone laugh. And he was such a kind, generous, loving person--that's why they named his hospital's mental health center after him. And its not like I he's not with me. I can feel him with me all the time. I can hear what he would say to me. Sometimes in church I just know that he's saying "sing louder! I can't hear you!" and I have to laugh because you KNOW that's what he's saying. Or he complains that he can't hear my guitar. Or he's saying "guitar solo!" or telling me to play the song for Judith.

My father's here for me more then he could have been if he was in Buffalo, and I know that. And I should be happy.
Every single day my father told me that he loved me and that he was proud of me. And I know it. And that makes everything that much easier. When you have kids, tell them you love them and that you're proud of them. You won't regret it. And you'll know.
As soon as you can, go give your father the biggest hug in the entire world and tell him that you love him. I'm lucky, my father knows I love him. He knows my brother loves him. I don't have any regrets except that I didn't more time with him.

I love my father so much. I am always going to be Daddy's Little Girl. And he knows that, and I know that.
And someday I will see him again, and that will be the happiest day. He missed his father like I missed my father, so he's happy now. He gets the best of BOTH worlds so its not fair, but I'll be with him again.

Its still wierd. Its still not real.

Oh, and I'm not looking for sympathy. Just maybe let me breathe for a few days. Don't feel obligated to leave a comment--I'm not guilt tripping you or whatever, that's tacky. However, if you feel the need to leave me a comment with something to make me laugh or to say you love me, well, I can't say no :)

ps I just want to say this story again because its my favorite. A year ago, I got my father's wedding ring which I wear when I need him and I can honestly feel his presence stronger when I'm wearing it. My brother recieved my daddy's watch. The watch, however, broke when we were at the hospital I guess? but my brother wore it anyway. Now...AT THE FUNERAL/ my daddy's 56th birthday...my brother was a pallbearer and as he touched the coffin...THE WATCH STARTED WORKING AGAIN.

That is all.

Part III:
Ok...so we got a new Pope.
I saw the announcement.
And I wasn't pleased.
I'm now going to tell you my feelings about Ratzinger aka Pope Benedict XVI
Pros:
1) He's German--so World Youth Day is going to be INSANE.
2) He was really good friends with JPII and I love JPII

Cons:
1) He's extrodinarily conservative and outspoken
2) He was a Hitler youth--and I know that everyone had to be...but still.
3) He's not as cute as JPII--in fact, he kinda looks awkward and I don't like it.
4) I always wanted a youthful pope like JPII when he was first pope. Ratzinger isn't.
5) When we went to world youth day, we wanted Maria to call the pope on his walkie talkie to hang out with us. And HE wanted to hang out with us and WE wanted to hang out with HIM. But a CERTAIN Cardinal wouldn't let us. That Cardinal was his right hand man...a German...anyone? anyone? Ok, so that was our joke.

but its kinda like when we had a joke about a young boy named John who sat next to me in Erie Country Chorus who went on to become a loser on American Idol.

Except...more popely.