Why a Needs a M a d e S p e c i a l Fo r :
M a d e S p e c i a l B y:
Dad
Jen nifer Gregory E. Lang
Dad
Thank you for all that you do for me and sharing this journey with me. You’ve taught me so much and I’m glad you’re my Dad! I love you.
Jennifer
Other books by Gregory E. Lang: w h y a daugh t e r n e e d s a mom w h y a s on n e e d s a mom w h y a s on n e e d s a da d w h y i l ov e gr a n dm a w h y i l ov e gr a n dpa w h y i c ho s e you w h y i l ov e you w h y m y h e a rt s t i l l s k i p s a b e at w h y i n e e d you w h y w e a r e a fa m i ly why we are friends g ood lu c k , gr a duat e b ro t h e r s a n d si s t e r s si m pl e ac t s l ov e sign s life maps t h a n k you, mom t h a n k you, da d b e c au s e you a r e m y daugh t e r b e c au s e you a r e m y s on
WHY A
NEEDS A
Dad
Gregory E. Lang
made special for
made special by
Dad
Jennifer
Copyright © 2013 by Gregory E. Lang Cover and internal design © 2013 by Sourcebooks, Inc. Cover image © Lisa Spindler Photography Inc./Getty Images Photos not added by the customer by Janet Lankford-Moran Sourcebooks and the colophon are registered trademarks of Sourcebooks, Inc. Put Me In the Story is a trademark of Sourcebooks, Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means including information storage and retrieval systems—except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews—without permission in writing from its publisher, Sourcebooks, Inc. Published by Put Me In the Story, a publication of Sourcebooks, Inc. P.O. Box 4410, Naperville, Illinois 60567–4410 (630) 961–3900 Fax: (630) 961–2168 www.putmeinthestory.com First published by Cumberland House, an imprint of Sourcebooks, Inc. Printed and bound in the United States of America LB 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
· I N T RODUC T ION ·
O
ver the years my
daughter Meagan and I have shared many special times together. We’ve had daddy-daughter dates, traveled, explored new subjects, and done sweet things for one another now and then. Sometimes we sit on the floor and look through the contents of the “Meagan Box,” a cardboard box overstuffed with pictures, her artwork, keepsakes, and notes we have written to each other. In that box resides the reassuring evidence of our close relationship. With this book Janet and I hope to inspire new as well as experienced fathers to embrace the challenging role they play in their daughters’ lives, to give them the love, nurture, and support they seek, and to cherish that which is reciprocated in kind. With this book I tell my child how very irreplaceably important she is to me. With this book I comfort and reassure myself that I will always have the pleasure and honor of being in her life. I love you, Meagan Katherine.
—Greg
who will always make sure she has a place to come home to.
DA D
who will laugh with her at all the right times.
DA D to make the family whole and complete.
DA D to help her take the risks that will build her confidence.
to be the safe spot she can always turn to.
to teach her that her value as a person is more than the way she looks.
DA D to tell her truthfully that she is the most beautiful of all.
to teach her to stand up for herself.
so that she will have at least one hero who will not let her down.
DA D to teach her not to let pride get in the way of discovering new things.
DA D to teach her what it means to always be there.
DA D
who does not mind when she steps on his shoes while dancing.
to give her the gentle pushes that help her grow.
to protect her from scary nighttime creatures.
who teaches her she is important by stopping what he is doing to watch her.
to teach her about fairness.
to be the history of her family for her own children.
DA D
who will always have time to give her hugs and kisses.
DA D to remind her of the comfort of being held near and feeling secure.
to teach her to recognize truth and reward it.
to show her how to fix things for herself.
to teach her to accept the differences in others.
to teach her patience and kindness.
DA D to show her that true love is unconditional.
A
R L I ’S G ·
Constant
·
HERO no one a daughter quite notreasures one understands quite likelike mom.a dad. She’sTo been there through it all: the triumph and thethan heartache, a daughter, no one is stronger or braver Dad. the skinnedtoknees and theor broken hearts.to cry on— Whether someone laugh with a shoulder there’s nolight placeonsafer in her little father’s Mom’s love is the the than path as girlarms. becomes the woman she’s meant be. becomes Dad’s lovewonderful is a steadfast guide as his littletogirl
the woman she’s destined to be.
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