You're My Angel

A Special Place

"Wake up, Lailah."

That was my father. I looked at the clock and it read 10:37. Why was he waking me up so early over summer break?

"Whyyyyy?" I groaned.
"We're going somewhere special," he said, I could hear the amusement in his voice.

My father was a very fun guy. I loved when he took Micah and I out 'somewhere special'.

I got out of bed and quickly got dressed. I walked out into the kitchen and saw my father and Micah at the table eating breakfast.

"Finally.." Micah said clearly annoyed.
"Its summer, you know I don't wake up early."
"Yeah, whatever."

I sat down and poured myself cereal and milk and stayed quiet, my brother seemed really irritated.

"Where are we even going," my brother asked my father.
"Oh, you'll see. Its somewhere me and your mother used to go..."

My father hardly talked about my mother, so I knew this truely was something special.

********
We've been in the car for what felt like forever.

"When are we going to get thereeeee," I whined.
"Soon, Lail."

I've been complaining for the past half hour. We were on a deserted street that went on for miles. Surrounding the street were giant, beautiful trees.

We turned down a dirt road and drove for another couple miles until we reached the end of the road. Where the road used to be, there was a forest.

"Dad, where are we?" Micah asked.
"Somewhere special," was all he said.

We got out of the car and my dad went to the trunk. He pulled out a backpack and handed it to me, then one to Micah, and put one on himself. Micah looked at me confused and I shrugged.

"We're going to be walking for awhile, so try to stay close. I packed water and snacks, so just go in your bag if you need anything to eat or drink."

My dad had the biggest grin on his face, and it made me so happy when he got happy like this.

He always came prepared for everything. Anytime he comes to one of Micah's or my sports games he over packs with extra blankets and jackets, even if its super hot out.

"Always come prepared, Lailah."

********

We've been walking downhill in the woods for an hour. Everything surrounding us was breathtaking; there were patches of pastel colored flowers and huge monarch butterflies fluttering all around us. The tree's leaves and plants swayed with the slight breeze in a way that made everything look alive.

No wonder my father took my mother here, this place was special.

*********

It was extremely hot out. My phone had no connection, but when we left it said it was 85°. I was very thankful my dad over packed because I already finished one water bottle.

"Its so fricken hot."

My brother had said that almost 100 times since we left the car.

"We're almost there, I promise."

I began to hear what sounded like water in the distance.

"Is that water flowing or something?" I asked, glancing over at my dad.

He grinned but said nothing. I assumed I was right.

********

I finally found out that I was right. We reached a giant waterfall and I gasped in awe. It was beautiful; I have never seen a waterfall in person and it was truly an unbelievable sight.