Darrell - my bio Father once was a Okmulgee Sheriffs Deputy in one instance he was found in a hotel with a inmate he was transporting while sharing a bottle of booze. This same glowing father figure took me on drug busts at the ripe age of 7.

Every time I think I have put all connections from me to him to bed another sneaks out. This Sunday was no glaring exception. I attend the same church I have all my life - my family is there - I know everyone there and it is a very small congregation - less than 70 members on the role and only half of that attend. It is a safe and familiar place. No surprises just safety and familiarity. This past week there were 'new people' who as it turns out knew me. Just as service started he said "I know you - you are Darrell's daughter."

All I could think is that I would rather be remembered as the kid who set fire to a local barn than that. I spent the entire service thinking of what I would say when the inevitable question came. Would I launch into blunt and gory detail? Wold I mention all the memories firmly etched into my mind?

After service it happened - he asked how my father was - to which I calmly replied "I honestly don't know, we have not spoken in over 10 years." To which he replied 'well - its his loss.' Then he and his wife asked how I was and how mom was. Both their faces were so - so familiar. It was haunting - they wanted hugs and I had NO idea who they were. Everyone at the Sheriffs dept knew me but I did not always know them.

Today I placed it. They were my friend Tanya's mom and her moms boyfriend at the time. I have been wrapped around the axle about this all day - it just occurred to me and now I am feeling better. But man - you just do not expect that in a church full of family.