My Darlin Daughter Gretchen and Her Birthday

Friday, April 9th, 2004

"One doesn't understand the nature of unconditional love until a man has a daughter"
The words are mine, I think. Today, April 9, 2004, is the twenty-fourth birthday of my darlin' daughter, Gretchen, who pursues a degree in history and works at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and London Press. In spite of my many failings, shortcomings, and the ways in which I have failed my children - they love me, without condition. I'm flooded with memories of her remarkable childhood, her creativity, her work ethic, her love. She was very young when she started her own newspaper, The Teddy Bear Scroll, for distribution in the neighborhood and among friends. It was a true delight.

Always a smile, Gretchen Alene ('twas I who spelled her middle name wrong for the birth certificate - it was to have been Alena) and her brother made up games and were the best of friends - Albert Otto is three years her senior. We spent many a wonderful afternoon and early evening in the park next door to our condo.

What a reader this young woman was! Now she reads - not skims -- four or five books a week and can write a better paper than I ever could in my wildest dreams. A dual English-History major at the University of Minnesota-Morris, Gretchen also spent semester in Galway at the National University. She's completing the first year of her rigorous program at Lincoln. The sweetest smile of any human who has ever passed through this middle world has not changed - from her tender, precious preschool years on to her high school and college graduation. Ah, just thinking of her brings such joy to my heart that it leaves me breathless. She deserves nothing but less than a man who will reciprocate her incredible loyalty, good nature, and capacity for love. I talk a pretty good game about living for others and looking out for each other - Gretchen does it every day of her life.

Today, on her twenty-fourth birthday, I wish Gretchen all the happiness, health, and cheer she deserves. Daddio has but one word of advice for her dear daughter - have more fun. You are precious, love, and as ever close to me as the wonderful hand-printed sign above my bed - "I love my Daddio." Darlin, I love you. Kola, my words cannot express how it feels to be the recipient of such amazing grace, the unconditional love of daughter. I do hope you are taking care of yourselves and looking out for each other - the way my darlin' Gretchen does.

Ev Albers