"Amelia dearest, come here for a moment"
Her rushed footsteps came from the direction of the kitchen which could only mean that she was trying to get more sweets out of the young maid that she already had wrapped around her little fingers.
"Yes daddy?'' The joy in her voice was infectious and I found myself smiling desipe the dread in my heart for her near future. I was already moving to lift her up hold her at my side. Daughter securely held, I began walking to the backyard.
"Tell me, what do you see when you look at our garden." With a sweeping gesture at their admittedly impressive backyard.
Amelia's face scrunched up into a adorably determined look. She wouldnt understand the true meaning behind the question but it would appropriately set the stage for what was important.
"Grass and trees and the shed and bushes and my ball-" She was silenced by a finger over her lips.
"What else?" WIth a subtle shift I had her turned to the direction of the flower garden that was tucked away neatly to the side.
"And the flowers!" With her shout of ultimate revelation I began the slow walk closer recalling every fond memory that stemmed from that particular flower patch.
I gently lowered my daughter down to the grass before joining her, sitting down legs kicked out, one arm keeping myself upright and the other holding Amelia close.
"Your mother planted these herself you know? Her love of flowers is-was unrivaled, her passion fiery and her determination steely. That was her way of life, to live undeterred by others and with her whole being in all she did. She was determined to make her time on this world one she lived fully and without regrets."
"That was her creed Amelia, and she was a great person because of it. She taught me what it was like to have a creed of my own and I hope to be half as great as she was. One day, I hope that you too can find something worthy to live by, your own personal creed, your way of life."
Looking up to the sky I noticed how late it was getting, the setting sun was casting an eerie red glow on the lingering clouds.
They should be getting here soon
"But until that day comes, we can help stack the deck in your favour can't we?" I said pulling out an shiny golden coin letting her see both sides.
A hooded skeleton and woman with a feather.
A Reaper and a Goddess.
Death and Life.
I pressed the coin gently into her palm. "That was your Mother's special coin Amelia. A lucky coin, and now its yours but I need you to promise me that you'll take extra good care of it okay?"
A very familiar expression of fiery determination enter her eyes and with a resolute nod. "Ill never let go of it daddy" With that declaration I clasped my hand over hers and brought my daughter in for one last hug.
"Now go inside, its getting cold out and you don't want to catch a cold now"
With a quite hum she took off back inside still looking in wonder down at her coin.
"And Amelia, I love you"
"I love you too daddy"