AT HOME WITH DAD — Children in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints' meeting houses across the world stood in front of daddy-filled congregations, singing a song that is as old as time itself — well, time as they know it.
"Daddy's Homecoming" is a song in the Children's Songbook that is often taught to primary-age children leading up to Father's Day.
One self-proclaimed daddy's girl, who may have outgrown performing with the primary, has still found a way to perform this timeless song not in front of her daddy, but side by side.
Pianist and jazz singer Emily Susan Pack sat next to her dad as the two played a jazzy rendition of the well-known primary song, and she shared it on social media.
When I heard the song and saw the daddy-daughter rendition, it ignited an emotional response and triggered fond childhood memories. I remember "clapping my hands" and "shouting for joy" from the stand with my siblings and fellow primary classmates.
Seeing Pack play alongside her dad felt special, and it made my heart happy to see a sweet daddy-daughter relationship that has evolved into a collaborative effort on those beautiful ivory keys.
In her post, she wrote about watching her dad, who was a counselor, use music as a tool for healing.
I was able to connect with Peck, and her vulnerability touched me so much that I wanted to share her words.
"My family's not really snuggly," she said. "I would definitely say we all have good relationships, but we feel pretty uncomfortable talking about our feelings or giving hugs that last longer than two seconds.
"My brother was diagnosed with a brain tumor last year, and it definitely shook my family awake," she continued. "We realized we needed to start saying the things we love about each other right now, while we're all together. We've planned trips with each other, talked about our feelings even when it was awkward, and our hugs have grown to a whole three seconds!
"I'm so glad I was able to make this video with my dad because it was a way to tell my dad how much I love him and learn from him. Sitting at the piano with my dad is always a way for us to get on the same level and communicate and joke back and forth. When I'm playing piano with my dad, it always feels like 'this is definitely the most important thing I could be doing right now.' I love my dad, and I'm so grateful I got to grow up listening to him play on any piano he walks by."
In her post, Peck asked the following question to her followers: "What's your favorite memory with your dad?"
I'll ask you the same question, but I'll go first — from the archives.
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