I spent a lot of time with my dad growing up and when I look back, I see a strong pattern emerges. I see him on mall benches or in hospital waiting rooms. He's waiting at the foot of the stairs, never entering the four-girl sanctuary of our upper floor. Fathers of daughters are always politely gestured or escorted to a seat while moms are gestured forward. My dad was always just outside. When I gave birth and was still being sorted out by nurses and doctors... He was there, in the room- checking emails or sending the news to friends or watching golf with his body politely facing the other direction. As close as he could be- never asking to be closer or moving further away in a huff. He never made it about him. Many, many times, as I think back, he was there, but he wasn't close enough to see. If you are too far from someone you love, whether it be distance, 2021 life, or a strained relationship, stand where you can, even if you can't see. Stand in your texts, i