When I was 4 or 5, I underwent a major reconstructive spine surgery.  I had to, because this little bony spur decided to wreak havoc on my spinal cord, even before I entered the world. So after much poking and prodding, therapy and consults.. surgery became the answer.

Surgery is  A LOT for any person to deal with.  I work with adults all day and have seen grown men shake at the sight of a needle… so you can imagine how a little girl with a broken back felt as staff surrounded & tried to convince her this would be the day they put Holly’s humpty dumpty body back together again.

And since no one would hear my plea bargain of scratching the whole thing – planet earth literally stopped spinning and the room became white – like really white.  So white that if a snow flake fell on those hospital sheets, I could find it.  This constant beeping loomed in my ears and threatened that in just a few minutes, I will be gone & alone in my dreams.  I watched Dr. Rinsky walk side by side with my mother, wiping away tears streaming down my face,  and I remember them both trying to calm me as I had a complete melt down, because the earth stopped spinning & all I could see was white.

I begged them to not let this be. Figure out another way, please… no surgery.

I heard things like, “Holly, Dr. Rinsky is not going to let anything happen to you.”  Feeling defeated I just kept crying.  I was so weak and so young and SO scared. But before I could rip out the IV’s and make a run for it – my strength came rushing around the corner. He moved my mother and Dr. Rinsky to the side, grabbed my tiny trembling hand, leaned in and started to pray.

I may have ended up in a hot pink body cast, looking like a little boy (thanks to Donya’s choice in hair-cut) – but I lived to tell the story & the earth started to spin again.

***

So many accomplishments I credit to this strength. He has provided counsel along countless road-trips to Scottish Rite Hospital. He’s wrapped his arms & legs around my spasming body, as  excruciating nerve pain radiated down my legs & even let me watch Beauty and The Beast over & over again. He cried when I was handed my Diploma and hugged the President of Dallas Baptist University. He unloaded furniture in my first apartment, after getting my first job 4 hours away from home – then lectured me to lock the door behind him… In fact, he lectured me again last week.

His opinion is the one that matters.  Whatever choice I face, I always need his strength to guide.  I never feel more able, than when he cheers each winding path I take.

He is superman in the eyes of my sisters and I.  His wisdom is unending and heart, unfailing.  And I will honor him today and every Father’s Day for as long as I live, because he’s the world’s strongest man & he deserves it.

My heart is yours, Dad.

Sincerely, Holly