A Daughter's Remembrance: The Gemstones of Our Years (Patti Davis Remembers Her Father)

MSNBC/Newsweek ^ | 6/6/04 | Patti Davis

[KentTrappedInLiberalSeattle]

The house I grew up in had large plate-glass windows, which birds frequently crashed into headfirst. My father helped me assemble a bird hospital, consisting of a few shoe boxes, some old rags and tiny dishes for water and food. When I lost my first patient, when the tiny gray creature died in my hands without ever eating any of the Cheerios I'd provided for it, my father patiently explained to me that the bird was free now, flying happily through the blue breezes of heaven, where there are no hazards such as windows. I was locked into his eyes, locked into the story. My father was always more accessible when he was teaching his children through stories.

Thirty-five years later, I would walk beside him along the beach, after he had already begun slipping into the shadows of Alzheimer's. A dark thief, it steals portions of a person, leaves remnants behind. He looked up at a flock of seagulls soaring overhead and his eyes followed them, shining with something I couldn't decipher, but which I interpreted as longing.

[4everontheRight]

VERY nice! I am glad they resolved their differences early. Just wish Ron Jr. wasn't such an a$$

[tet68]

his eyes followed them, shining with something I couldn't decipher, but which I interpreted as longing.

Aw jeez, I ....

[sinkspur]

What a beautiful essay from the prodigal daughter.

Unfortunately, it was partially ruined by that obnoxious Kerry ad, stuck right in the middle of it.

[KarenDay]

Kerry Ad? Hope you clicked on it - I just did.

[shield]

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[StrictTime]

Thank you for posting this. I'm speechless...

[not2worry]

Patty is so genuine in this article. I found myself remembering the "differences" between me and my own father and how we also reconciled. I've printed the article out for my scrapbook.

She is as eloquent as her father and I wish her every success in her future as she applies the lessons learned from one of the greatest of men and Presidents of our time.

[LI conservative]

I can understand where Patti resented the faat that the rest of the country demand so much of her father's time. That's quite a sacrifice for a young woman and on behalf of millions of Americans, Patti, thanks for your sacrifice and thanks for your father.

[tapatio]

A very moving article.Too often people let unresolved issues overshadow a relationship.It is sad, for it allows a lifetime of love to be pushed away.Most often it is a lesson learned too late.I am glad that she came back into the life of her family,but in this article you can hear the pain of lost years that she knows are gone forever.I too, have a father with Alzheimer's and I cherish every minute that the good Lord allows me with him.

[Hildy]

I've read this three times now and have cried each time.

[TOUGH STOUGH]

Patti Davis writes so well. This is a beautiful tribute to her father. It is good she made her peace with her father before his illness took him from us all.

[Military family member]

I agree!!!

Whose bright idea was that?

[Dr. Scarpetta]

I returned to my family, the prodigal child, in October 1994, two months before my father disclosed to the world that he had been diagnosed with Alzheimer's.

Was Pres. Reagan still in the White House when Patti posed nude? Thank God the Reagans had their adopted children, Michael and Maureen, to make up for the way Patti and Ron shunned them.

[ambrose]

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