Myla Katzav

As a child growing up in the province, believe it or not, I cannot recall any day or night that I was not happy.  Life was simple and so happiness was easy to achieve.  I was surrounded by family all the time: my aunts looked after us when my parents were working, my grandparents doted on us, God was the center of our small world.  

And I had my man always there to lift me up through his words or just by being there.  He called me his darling and it sent me to heaven.  He is my Daddy, who else? My Daddy, without him knowing, has contributed a lot to my strength and my intense passion for people I care.  

Whenever someone would tease me about my big eyes being puffy most of the time or someone would say that I look like a frog, I ran to him. He would say: “Darling, your eyes are unique and to me, they are the most beautiful eyes in the world!”. Seventeen words that kept me going through life especially at times when it gets tough.  Seventeen words that reminded me that to him, I am the best!  Seventeen words that told me I can do this..I can do that…and if I fail, in his eyes, I am always a winner.

The other set of words he said that stayed with me were:  “You may not respect me or other people, but you have to respect your mother”. Fifteen words that made me say no to any temptaion during college.  Fifteen words that pushed me to study and work hard and behave.  Fifteen words that helped me treat people well.

But these words were put to a test when once, we had a crisis in the family.  I failed him big time and broke his heart..just as it did mine.  But for a heart to be whole again, it needs to go back to its source..and he was mine and so I had to find my way back to him no matter if it took years and many tears.

My Daddy may not know this but I melt in his presence.  That his "no" would send me crashing while his "yes" would put a big smile in my heart.  And up until now, whenever I feel vulnerable or afraid or threatened, I hear those words, his words, and all my insecurities vanish just like it did when I was a little girl.

My Daddy may not know this but I melt in his presence.  That his “no” would send me crashing while his “yes” would put a big smile in my heart. And up until now, whenever I feel vulnerable or afraid or threatened, I hear those words, his words, and all my insecurities vanish just as it did when I was a little girl.