This is my multigenre project for my language arts methods class.

1. My Multigenre Project:
For my Daddy
By: Kelsey Davison

2. Claude Edward Davison was born
in Red River County, Texas on
September 16th 1961. He lived in
Texas until the age of 10 when
he moved to North Carolina with
his mother. As a child, Daddy
was rambunctious, creative, and
inquisitive. He loved being
outdoors and loved animals. He
always had some sort of critters
around the house including;
skunks, snakes, squirrels, and
turtles. As an adult, he still
carried his love of nature. It
wasn’t unusual for him to stop
and pick up some kind of animal Daddy with a catfish he caught in
on his way home from work. His the Yadkin River.
favorite season was Summer
and he spent every possible
second outside. I remember him
sleeping all night in a hammock
in our backyard during the
Summer.

3. We live right next to the Yadkin
River and he spend every free
second down there fishing off the
muddy banks. Fishing was his
favorite hobby. He would spend
countless hours at the river and
come home with loads of fish. He
would often fillet them and fry
them up for dinner. When my
sister and I got old enough, we
would go to the river fishing with
him. Sometimes, we would just
explore the banks and find a sand
island to swim around and relax
on. Fishing with my Daddy are
some of my favorite memories of
Daddy (right) with his best friend
our time together.
after an all day fishing trip.

4. Daddy’s Girl

5. Daddy’s Girl
Father’s Day 2012
High School Graduation 2009

6. May 29th, 2012. The day my life would be changed forever. All I remember
about that phone call was hearing one word. Cancer. My worse fears
had been confirmed as my Daddy explained to me that he had been
diagnosed with esophageal cancer. I couldn't seem to wrap my head
around the words I was hearing. Cancer was always something that I
had sympathized with others for having, something that I had heard
being discussed time and time again but it never affected me. I felt
like he was lying to me. I felt like my Daddy couldn't have cancer, he
was only fifty years old, he had too much life left to live. After the
initial shock wore off, I was faced with a stage 4 diagnosis and a
heartbreaking prognosis... "months." At only twenty-one years old I
was having to accept the fact that my Dad would be gone in a matter
of months. Suddenly, I was painfully aware of exactly how quickly
time passes. I spent every second that I could by his side. We spend
more time together than ever this past Summer. Luckily, we were
able to get in some more good memories before the heavy
medications faded his personality. Still, I spent every day that I could
with him, mostly just watching him sleep but that was good enough
for me.

7. September 8th, 2012. The day I had been dreading came quicker than I
could have ever imagined. I had 4 months to prepare for it, but no length
of time prepares you to say good-bye to your Daddy. As I held his hand,
I realized how precious every second of life is. Even those painful
seconds, holding his hand will be seconds that I cherish for the rest of
my life. Now, I am beginning a new journey in my life. One that will
be difficult and will test my strength and my faith. Even though he is
gone in physical form, my Daddy will be in my heart and will always be
part of who I am. Even though our time together was cut short, I have
some wonderful memories to hang on to. I was so lucky to get to have
him for my Dad even if only for a short while. I will miss my Daddy every
second, of every day until we can be together again.

8. A Poem for Daddy on his
birthday:
It’s your birthday and I want
you to know, that I carry you
with me everywhere I go. You
gave me your eyes, your lips,
and your walk. You taught me
to fish, and helped me to talk.
Daddy I love you very much
though, you did also give me
very long toes. I will always
remember your buttermilk pies,
and going to the store for junk
food buys. Remember me with
my little brown curls, because I
will always be your little girl.

9. The Perfect Day
It was a beautiful day in May. I had recently finished up my 3rd year in college and I
anxiously began my summer break at home in Lexington. My sister and I made
plans to spend the day with our Dad. We arrived at his house around noon and
spent some time talking and catching up. I told him how school was going and
filled him in on my relationship status. He showed us his new pet squirrel and I
named him Henry. My Dad loved everything outdoors and was fascinated by
nature and animals so it was no surprise to find him with some kind of critter. We
spent some time letting Henry crawl up and down our arms and watching him
jump around before Daddy suggested that we go fishing. Fishing was one of my
Dad's very favorite things and it became one of our favorite things to do
together. We loaded down the car with live bait, fishing poles, and a tackle box
and headed to a pond behind his neighbor's house. It was a small pond
surrounded by trees and tall grass. Daddy warned us to be careful and watch
our step. He explained that just the week before he had been bitten by a snake
out there in the grass. Soon after baiting our hooks with worms, my sister
Lindsay caught the first fish. It was a little brim and Daddy taught us how to hold
its gills down so that it wouldn't cut us while we removed the hook and then
tossed in back in the water. After this, Daddy moved across the pond from us to
try to catch some bigger fish with fancy lures. Lindsay and I took turns catching
one after another of those tiny brims. Each time we would squeal with
excitement and proudly show Daddy our prized fish. I remember his beaming
smile from across the pond. We stayed out there making memories until the sun
began to set and we headed home. We didn't know it yet but Daddy had cancer
and in just a matter of weeks our lives would take a dramatic turn. I consider this
the perfect day because it is one of the last memories with my Daddy before
finding out about his cancer. This is a day that I will always cherish.

10. Dear Daddy,
A Letter to Heaven:
I miss you so much I can’t even begin to describe it. I know you are okay
now and that brings me peace but letting you go has been so hard.
Sometimes I still catch myself thinking about calling you or stopping by to
see you. I wish I could just see you one more time, but I know that would
still not be enough. I miss your humor and your laugh the most. You were
always so silly and such a prankster. You brought laughter to everyone
who knew you. The holidays this year are going to be really hard without
you. I am going to miss watching Christmas movies with you and sitting by
the fire you built in the fire place. I will really miss your buttermilk pies, no
one can make them like you. I know that you are always with me but
sometimes I just want to hear your voice. It hurts to know that you won’t
get to walk me down the isle or even meet my children, but you have been
and will always be an important part of my life. I am having a hard time with
losing you but I promised you that I would be okay and I will be. I will
always honor you by living my life to the fullest and pursuing my dreams. I
hope you know how much I love and miss you. This isn’t goodbye, it’s see
ya later!
Love you always,
Kelsey

11. About the author:
My name is Kelsey Davison.
I am an upcoming senior
this year at UNCC. My
major is elementary
education.
I am writing this piece to
remember and honor my
father. My intended
audience is my Daddy and
myself. The purpose of this
piece is honor him and
help me to heal from his
passing. I hope he knows
how much I love and miss
him. I will cherish our
time together always.