Daddy's Poem (Grab a hankie)

[Judy Harder]

Daddy's Poem

Her hair was up in a pony
tail,

her favorite dress tied with a
bow.

Today was Daddy's Day at
school,

and she couldn't wait to
go.

But her mommy tried to tell
her,

that she probably should stay
home

Why the kids might not
understand,

if she went to school
alone.

But she was not
afraid;

she knew just what to
say.

What to tell her
classmates

of why he wasn't there
today.
But still her mother
worried,

for her to face this day
alone.

And that was why once
again,

she tried to keep her daughter
home.

But the little girl went to
school

eager to tell them
all.

About a dad she never
sees

a dad who never
calls.

There were daddies along the wall in
back, for everyone to meet.

Children squirming
impatiently,

anxious in their
seats

One by one the teacher
called

a student from the
class.

To introduce their
daddy,

as seconds slowly
passed.

At last the teacher called her
name,

every child turned to
stare.

Each of them was
searching,

a man who wasn't
there.

"Where's her daddy
at?"

She heard a boy call
out.

"She probably doesn't have
one,"

another student dared to
shout.

And from somewhere near the
back,

she heard a daddy
say,

"Looks like another deadbeat
dad,

too busy to waste his
day."

The words did not offend
her,

as she smiled up at her
Mom.

And looked back at her teacher, who
told her to go on.

And with hands behind her
back,

slowly she began to
speak.

And out from the mouth of a
child,

came words incredibly
unique.

"My Daddy couldn't be
here,

because he lives so far
away.

But I know he wishes he could
be,

since this is such a special
day.

And though you cannot meet
him,

I wanted you to
know.

All about my daddy,

and how much he loves me
so.
 
He loved to tell me
stories

he taught me to ride my
bike.

He surprised me with pink
roses,

and taught me to fly a
kite.

We used to share fudge
sundaes,

and ice cream in a
cone.

And though you cannot see
him.

I'm not standing here
alone.

"Cause my daddy's always with
me,

even though we are
apart

I know because he told
me,

he'll forever be in my
heart"

With that, her little hand reached
up,

and lay across her
chest.

Feeling her own
heartbeat,

beneath her favorite
dress.


And from somewhere there in the crowd
of dads, her mother stood in tears.

Proudly watching her
daughter,

who was wise beyond her
years.

For she stood up for the
love

of a man not in her
life.

Doing what was best for
her,

doing what was
right.

And when she dropped her hand back
down, staring straight into the crowd.

She finished with a voice so
soft,

but its message clear and
loud.

"I love my daddy very
much,

he's my shining
star.

And if he could, he'd be
here,

but heaven's just too
far.

You see he is a
Marine

and died just this past
year

When a roadside bomb hit his
convoy

and taught Americans to
fear.

But sometimes when I close my
eyes,

it's like he never went
away."

And then she closed her
eyes,

and saw him there that
day.

And to her mother's
amazement,

she witnessed with
surprise.

A room full of daddies and
children,

all starting to close their
eyes.

Who knows what they saw before
them,

who knows what they felt
inside.

Perhaps for merely a
second,

they saw him at her
side.

"I know you're with me
Daddy,"

to the silence she called
out.

And what happened next made
believers,

of those once filled with
doubt.

Not one in that room could explain
it,

for each of their eyes had been
closed.

But there on the desk beside
her,

was a fragrant long-stemmed pink
rose.

And a child was blessed, if only for
a moment, by the love of her shining star.

And given the gift of
believing,

that heaven is never too
far.

They say it takes a minute to find a
special person, an hour to appreciate them, a day to love them, but then
an entire life to forget them.
   
Take the time...to live and
love.

Until eternity.

God bless

There must be many children in the
same boat as this little girl, thanks to our servicemen and their families
for the sacrifice they are making to keep our country
Free.

[frawin]

You are right--might need more than one.  What a powerful message.

MLW