A Father's Hope and Prayers (My Dad's Thoughts)

It doesn't seem that long ago that my wife, Ota, and I were bringing Alicia home from the hospital for the first time. I remember the months leading up to that ride and the years since being filled with hopes and prayer for our little girl. As I try to reflect on the last 17-1/2 years I recall that everything revolved around her. I prayed for her safety, I hope that she would do well in school and that she would make great friends. I hoped that she would be happy, I prayed that she would not want for anything. But now on the verge of her leaving for her exchange my hopes and prayers are not only with my daughter, but more so for myself. I hope that I did everything that I could have to prepare her for adulthood and to be self-sufficient. I still pray for her safety, but wonder if I have given her the tools and advice to make good decisions so that she is always able to protect herself. I hope that I have given her the self confidence to try new things and to be adventurous. I pray that she knows God in a meaningful way, and turns to him when we are not there. I hope that I have taught her to be kind to people, and that her heart remains pure and sweet. I hope she doesn't have my temper, and pray that she is as forgiving as her mother. I hope and I pray that when she is a parent that she doesn't make that same mistakes that I have made, and that she has a child who is as sweet and has as much possibility as her.