They say that the best people come unexpectedly. Kaylia Cooper runs away from home to live with her father. In a town like Forks Washington where secrets are buried, Kaylia finds herself discovering all that the town has to offer. She finds love, an...
With shaky legs I stand from my seat in the front row. My eyes are teary from the crying I've been doing. My hand dropping Olivia's with a sharp intake of air. I walk slowly up to the podium in the funeral home. My steps running loudly in my ears, the sound of my own heartbeat taunting me. The local pastor places his hand on my shoulder giving it a squeeze before he backs up to give me space.
My arms are pressed against my sides tightly. My body weighing down on the floor surface. My hair is half blocking my view and I push the strands behind my ear with a shaking hand.
My nerves skyrocket when I look up. Seeing the large amount of people sitting in rows upon rows. Waiting for me to start my speech. I hadn't prepared anything, I didn't know how to write down what I felt. I just decided to speak from the heart.
"Thank you all for coming. This isn't easy to stand up here and talk to a room full of people. But I will try my best," I started letting out a shaky breath, "When I think back to the earliest memories of my father, I remember this big teddy bear with arms wide open. I could always count on my dad for bear hugs, especially when I fell down and skimmed a knee, or was feeling sad. On cold winter days' dad was the first to show up with a bag full of chocolates and mugs of hot chocolate," I smiled tears leaking out my eyes, "Every daughter remembers her father in terms of protector and provider at least, that is the ideal we all hope for."
I stop for a moment and lock eyes with Bella. Her glassy eyes lock with mine, and she gives me a nod to proceed. My eyes quickly scan the crowd seeing my dad's friends, his girlfriend when her family. My friends from the reservation, and my mates. I felt my heart swell with love for everyone that made it. I take in a deep and needed breath.
"Whenever I needed a shoulder to lean on. I could find my father in the times of need. He knew my deepest secrets, even the dark ones I wished to bury. He worked so hard to provide a life for me where I never had to want for anything. He had a life well lived. There's a saying that time heals all wounds. Though I don't know if all my wounds will heal, but I do know that they will slowly patch overtime because time passes. Even when it seems impossible. But there is one thing that I want everyone here to remember. The life given to us by nature is short, but the memory of a life well spent is eternal. My father lived his life to the fullest, and he treated everyone with the same respect. I have no regrets regarding him and our time spent. I hope to grow up into the kind and nurturing woman my father always said I would be. I wish to be as funny, loving, and kind as him. I will live everyday like it's my last, so I may put his soul to rest."
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