The best learning experiences take place during the journey. They help you better understand yesterday and also prepare you for tomorrow. Today, fully embrace the journey. Focus on the lessons you’ve learned and don’t forget to give thanks for the blessings you’ve earned.
With Love, Dr. K. L. 
Author of “An Army of Words” and “Every Day Isn’t Perfect”: amazon.com/author/iamklregister
I’m feeling better today. Praising God for his strength and love. Shouting THANK YOU to each of you for your love, prayers, and hugs. God knew I’d need every single one of you. On this day, I dedicate my poem, “The Yellow Sun Has Risen” to my late father.
I hung upside down from the branch of self-pity
Buried my troubles deep within my old warped cocoon
And quietly reflected upon my past mistakes
As if worrying about the past
Would make my today a tad bit different
And as I hung from that branch
The weight of my worries
Became too much
Causing me to realize
That if that branch should break
Nothing could be done today
To change my yesterday
For yesterday, yesterday was such a grey dreary day
In my old warped cocoon, I shed so many tears
Remembering the painful regrets in life that made me cry
Crying for the ones who refused to be loved
For yesterday, that branch did break
But today, today the yellow sun has risen
From my old warped cocoon, I began to emerge
Living for the precious moments in life that make me laugh
Laughing with the one who has taught me how to love
Loving the yellow butterfly I have now become
For tomorrow, I shall open up my wings to fly
With Love, Dr. K. L. 
Author of “An Army of Words” and “Every Day Isn’t Perfect”: amazon.com/author/iamklregister
Daddy,
Even though you never said Happy Birthday, bought me a Christmas gift, came to my high school, college, or dental school graduations, walked with me down the aisle on my wedding day, or told me you loved me … I know in my heart that you did. You loved me. You loved all of us. Your way of expressing it was just … different.
All day yesterday, I felt an aching pain, but I wasn’t sure of the reason why.
Two weeks ago, I picked up the phone and called you to say, “Happy Father’s Day.” Something, I’d never done as an adult. Something, I’m not sure I did as a child. Ever since we (my sister, brother, and I) were little kids, you told us that you didn’t “care about celebrating no birthdays or holidays.” We heard you say it so much, that eventually we believed it.
But …
Something … this year … whispered, “Call your Daddy, and tell him Happy Father’s Day.” When we spoke over the phone, I could hear the change in your voice when you realized it was me calling to wish you a Happy Father’s Day. To be honest, I was a little hesitant. A little nervous. A little worried. Because I wasn’t sure how you’d receive it.
But your voice. It lit up like a candle inside of a dark tunnel.
Even though we never had “the typical” father-daughter relationship. We had our own special relationship. Our own unique bond. Our own love language.
I’ll never forget the times you drove me to my GBI interview in Atlanta, to the Department of Labor in Albany, and to my dental school interview in Augusta. Do you remember when we were on our way to Augusta, you kept covering up that tiny bottle of what you called ” a little Kool-aid.” Goodness, if you only knew how much praying I put in that day. Don’t worry, God knows. I’ll never forget the times we’d drive momma crazy singing all of the oldies but goodies by Gladys Knight, Lenny Williams, Bootsy Collins, and Club Nouveau. I’ll never forget the times you told us to eat our peas and beans and the gristle on our chicken bones. I’ll never forget the times you taught me how to drive a riding lawn mower and tractor. Or the time you went with me to get my driver’s license. Thank goodness you knew that patrol guy. I’ll never forget the times you told us what Edgar Cacye recommended for an upset stomach, acne treatment, or cancer prevention. A good “working out” seemed like it solved just about every condition known to mankind. By the way, earlier this year, I finally started eating three almonds everyday. I’ll never forget the times you took us to ride the horses. I’ll never forget the times we watched “The Wonder Years” together. I’ll never forget the times we quoted lines from “History of the World” together. I’ll never forget the times you’d come visit me at momma’s house when I’d come home for 4th of July, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. I’ll never forget the times. No, Daddy. I’ll never forget … you.
You taught me that it was okay to be different. It was okay to do my own thing. To walk to the beat of my own drum. You taught me not to settle or put up with just anything.
Daddy, yesterday was one of the hardest days of my life. You left us. You left me. You are no longer here. I know that God has wrapped his loving arms around you, but knowing that doesn’t stop my earthly heart from feeling broken. Just to know that I won’t see you this 4th of July … this Thanksgiving … this Christmas … it hurts. Just to think that I won’t see you again … it hurts more than you know …
“Because neither one of us
Wants to be the first to say
Neither one of us
Wants to be the first to say
Neither one of us
Wants to be the first to say
Farewell my love
Goodbye” – Gladys Knight
I love you, Daddy. – Tree ❤️
Author of “An Army of Words” and “Every Day Isn’t Perfect”: amazon.com/author/iamklregister
Someone feels confused about a situation. Your spirit feels unsettled. But know that God is not the author of confusion, but of peace. Trust in Him. Cling to His word. Rest in His truth. He will direct you. Guide you through. He will show you where you need to go.
With Love, Dr. K. L.
Author of “An Army of Words” and “Every Day Isn’t Perfect”: amazon.com/author/iamklregister
