Goodmorning, Dear Daughter

Every morning on my drive to work, I speak with my mom.

Most days, she has the phone on speaker so my dad can hear our conversation too.

Before my mom can even say much, I hear his voice.

"Good morning, dear daughter."

"Good morning, dad. How are you?"

"Great, I'm here with my beautiful wife."

I smile every time.

I ask how he slept.

He asks how I'm doing.

I tell him I'm great.

Then he tells me he loves me.

I tell him I love him too.

A few minutes later, the conversation begins again.

"Good morning, dear daughter."

My mom used to laugh and say, Again?"

But I never mind.

Not once.

Even if he said it a hundred times, I would listen a hundred times.

Because one day, I know I would miss hearing it.

Lately, things have been a little different.

Sometimes he's still sleeping when I call.

Sometimes he's watching television.

Sometimes, that familiar greeting has to wait until my ride home from work.

Sometimes I only hear my mom's voice.

And while I still look forward to our morning conversations, I find myself listening for something else too.

That familiar voice.

Four simple words.

"Good morning, dear daughter."

xo Julissie