As I was going through an IVF cycle, the one that resulted in Henry, my Dad would call me daily and just chat with me. On this particular day, I was feeling really depressed and defeated. I had spent a stupendous amount of money and the well was looking dry.
As was his custom he called and I just started crying. I told him how my money was finished and I had spent it all on tests, we hadn’t even started the treatment yet. My dad gets very uncomfortable and awkward when I cry, he never knows whether to tell me to toughen up or give me a cuddle. Exasperated by my crying he asked “why didn’t you use insurance?”
The question intensified my crying. “I don’t have insurance Daddy.” I exclaimed. There was a pause. “What do you mean you don’t have insurance? I never cancelled your insurance.” he replied.
I had to stop crying so my brain could calibrate what this man was saying. I was 30 years old. I had been married for 5 years. This man daily thanked my husband for taking me off his hands. He would regularly tell me, I have handed you over, you are not my problem. Yet he never cancelled my health insurance.
Please believe, I rushed off the phone with him and called the insurers. Two weeks later, a crisp cheque arrived with a FULL refund of every single thing I had spent, quite literally everything!
I read a book today and a father said to his child, I have loved you with an everlasting love. That’s my Dad’s love, one that covers and elevates and protects and celebrates. A love that hands over but doesn’t let go. That’s my Daddy’s love, an everlasting love.
Happy Father’s day Daddy. From the one you handed over.
