To my 'un-dead' daughter Danice
By Rod Day
Dearest Danice:
You have no idea how much I hope this letter finds you well. You have no idea how much I want this letter to find you well. Please don't be alarmed by the title I have chosen. Actually, I stole it from the Grandpa (my dad) you never had the opportunity to meet and get to know.
This is a take-off from a letter he wrote to me before I was born entitled "To My Unborn Son," -a letter full of hope, pride and anticipation. This is what I want to try and express to you as I stumble over my own feelings of pride and anticipation - and now, also - anger.
I think every parent gets upset with their children at some time, but that does not mean in any way that they become less proud.
You are such a beautiful and talented young lady. You could be a model, you could be an artist and you could be the female jet pilot that you once dreamed of becoming. Your personality is unsurpassed - yet, unique to you.
You always have a smile for me when you stop by my office to visit. Sometimes the smile is phony and you get angry because I pick up on that very quickly. You have always had trouble hiding your true feelings from your "ole Dad."
I have watched you steadily grow and mature over the past couple of years. The anticipation of watching my child grow with her children always puts a lump of pride in my throat.
Our biggest (almost only) disagreement here lately has been over your choice of what you thought of "your man." My only request was that you move on and find a real man. But you swore to me you could change the one you have.
Danice Lea: Where are you? Please, come home.
I sit now in anticipation of what is to be.
I made the statement to a dear friend: "Why is God so angry with me?" My friend replied, "God had nothing to do with this!"
I still don't understand. Why would the "devil" use a worthless excuse for a human to carry out his "dirty" work?
I would think that even the devil would display more class in his choice of demons.
You and I have always had an open relationship. You kept very few secrets from me.
Even though we are close to knowing, I'm still going to ask the question again: "Where are you?"
I know why we cannot lay you to a peaceful rest. God is not ready. He has put His hand over you and that is the only reason we cannot find you. He will remove His hand soon and then He will point directly to where you are. It will be in His time-not mine.
You will never be dead in my heart. Your body may be taken from me (And all of those who love you). But you will never be forgotten. And rest assured-those who did this to you will not be forgotten either.
My heart is sad. And yes, I very much missed not hearing your voice this past Father's Day.
I love you, Danice Lea.
Your Dad
Rod Day of Del Norte is the father of Danice Day, who has was last seen on January 9, 2002 and whose disappearance remains under investigation.