Need A Good Cry? The Open Letter Chris Cornell’s Daughters Penned For Father’s Day Will Do The Trick

“I’m So Proud To Be Your Baby,” Writes Daughter Lily

Father’s Day has come and gone and with it, the sobering realization that for some, this day to celebrate the awesome dads of the world is anything but a joyous occasion. Late Soundgarden frontman Chris Cornell’s children know this painful truth all too well as just one month after their father’s death they celebrated the first of many Father’s Days without him, daughters Lily and Toni taking to social media for the first time since the tragedy to pen heartbreaking yet fiercely loving tributes to the man we knew as a legend, but who they knew simply as “daddy”.

At 17 and 12 respectively, both Lily and Toni bear their father’s trademark way with words, revealing two fiercely intelligent young women full of a quiet wisdom far beyond their years. Lily wrote of her father,

“Papa,

A couple summers ago we were biking around Central Park and you told me that there aren’t many truly good people in the world, but that I was one of the few. You always had such firm confidence and pride in what I did, and your warmth and love inspired me to do my best. Now more than ever, I want to live my life to help others as you did. I want to continue to make you proud. Toni, C and I promise to survive, persevere and thrive, as we’ve always done. I’m so proud to be your baby, I love you more than words can say and I will miss you forever.

Your ladybug,
Lily”

Toni, who shares her dad’s love for singing and the arts, hailed him for exposing her to the music she’s grown to love and lean on and asks the heartbreaking question as to who will guide her musical and artistic journey in his absence:

“Our special connection was always the arts. Poems, books, music, writing. We both have a unconditional love for it.

Who’s going to introduce me to movies like ‘Purple Rain’ and songs like ‘The Beautiful Ones’ now? I’m hoping I will find some because you trained me so well.

I know you are still here, and the warmth I feel beneath the cold, is you.
YOU ARE THE BEST FATHER IN THE WHOLE WIDE WORLD. And I know, that if this wasn’t an accident, you’d still be cuddling with me watching ‘Purple Rain’.”

Thankfully, Toni and siblings Lily and Christopher have one of the greatest support systems in the world as they begin to navigate the new normal that is life without their dad. Mom Vicky and Cornell’s ex-wife Susan have been wonderful sources of comfort for the kids, as have family members and friends who stepped up to be there since the nightmare began a month ago. Our hearts are with Lily, Toni, and Christopher during this difficult time, and we wish them all the best in the world.