Tear Duct Valve Requested

Photo by Garth Callaghan

For most of my young life I was raised by a single, hard-working mother with a great cloud of mystery shrouding the circumstances of my biological father's exit from our lives. Rumors and speculation were the only things I could cling to and it always left me wondering what a relationship with a father would be like. I was finally able to contact him through personal investigation after my 18th birthday, but he still wanted nothing to do with me. The mystery, I am afraid, will never be solved.

Consequently, I have somewhat a weak heart when it comes to the importance of family, especially in regards to the relationship between parent and child. I am often affected by the media and for many years I find myself crying uncontrollably at simple examples of paternal love or loss. The first time I can remember the valve open and the flood gates of tears flow was watching John Lithgow screaming at Harry to leave the family in the movie "Harry and the Hendersons." The last was when I came upon this simple photo.

Photo by Garth Callaghan

At first glance, the photo seemed completely unimportant. All I saw was a messy table, perhaps someone was brainstorming for a book. I almost skipped past it entirely and then I read the headline. Immediately, I saved the page and walked away because at the time I knew it would be deeply emotional. You can't just let the gates open anywhere.

Garth Callaghan was diagnosed with terminal cancer and as a great father he wanted to find a way to impact his daughter's life long after his demise. He devised a brilliant plan to compose 826 handwritten notes, one for every day she had left in high school, to keep her company and give her guidance during her last formative years.

Some notes were simple and humorous and others contain just the right words to carry a child through a difficult day. All were written with pure love. 

Photo  by Garth Callaghan

They are not technically artistic or amazingly beautiful, but his photos were extremely powerful to me personally because of what I bring to the table. I am a father and my son is roughly the same age as Mr. Callaghan's daughter. I couldn't help but wonder what my son would think or do if I was to leave this world tomorrow. I know I am not prepared to leave him....and the tears flow again. It's not the color or the composition, it's the meaning. And I thank him for sharing.