Not many little girls and boys remember much about their early life. Okay so I remember some stuff... like the time I got my head stuck in the railing by the stairs at our old house... or the day we took a road trip to Colorado and I jumped on the hotel bed until I threw up... and heaven forbid I forget about the day I got separated from my mom in the primary room at our church. But, I'm talking more about the day to day events, like getting up and putting on clothes, or what I ate on August 23. No one remembers that stuff, let's get real. I think I started remember details like that when I was 9 or 10, but not 2. That part of my life is fairly blank when it comes to the small things, except for one day. There is one day I remember very well.
The day I got my purple dinosaur.
It was my birthday and I was having a party! My mom went full out when we were little, you name it, we had it: the streamers, hats, presents, guests, games, balloons, etc. We had the best parties in the neighborhood, everyone was invited.
I remember that I was wearing a jumpsuit on top of a red turtle neck... it was snowing outside... the kitchen tile was blue... along with the cupboards, (this was before we re-did our kitchen). We had school posters on the wall, and everyone was frosting cookies. I couldn't name names if you asked me, but lots of people were coming up and saying "Happy Birthday Tashi!" I did not care much for people being around me, I was deathly shy. So I just sat on my little chair with my cookie as the moms talked above me and the neighborhood kids played.
Then my dad came up to me. Holding a purple dinosaur.
He did not say much... he just handed me this gift and told me that he got it just for me so when I look at it I can know how much he will always love me.
That was it really.
And the party went on.
But in that moment I remember holding on to this dinosaur and knowing without a doubt how much my dad loved me. I had no doubt of his love, even in my 2-year old mind. Some people might argue that a child so small is not yet capable of feeling something like that, but I assure you they are.
I still have that purple dinosaur. He has survived through all the years, and although his arms are poorly stitched back on by 11-year old me, and his fur is growing thin, he is still a perfect symbol of my dads eternal love for me. I will hold on to that special symbol forever.
I really don't know what led my dad to buy me that gift, or say the things he did, but it was just what I needed. From a young age I have had no doubt in my mind that my Dad loves me. He is one of the strongest, bravest, smartest guys I know. When he is near you, nothing bad can happen. He is a really special Dad, and I am a lucky girl to have him in my life. I love him so very much.
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