A Dad's Poem

[Nessie]

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,
for 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 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 was a fireman
and died just this past year
When airplanes hit the towers
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 bright 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.

 

[RJ1]

That's an awesome poem. Thanks for sharing it.

 

[The Story Teller]

One of the best...

 

[Storm Chaser]

That was beautiful! Thanks! Makes me think of my Dad.
My Dad didn't die helping people in the towers, although if he had been alive I'm sure he would have been there to help, that's just the way he was. He died September 21, 1997 three months after recieving Jesus into his life. There had been alot of trouble within my blood family and July 9, he told me he was proud of me for what I had become and asked me to lead him into a prayer to recieve my Jesus into his life because with my changes he knew my Jesus had to be the one true God. I was Daddy's Girl and miss him so much, but I know he will be waiting for my arrival in heaven. I didn't see him again until September 26, 1997. Mom is not a Christian and believed I had caused my Dad to loose his salvation so he was hidden from me. On September 21 - I was awoken by the pains I knew my Dad was feeling as he died of a massive heart attack. One hour later my sister called to tell me Dad had died. Sometimes I still cry because I miss him (especially September 23 - his birthday) but then God reminds me that he is in a far better place and is no longer in pain. Before I was born he fought in the war and injured his leg in a plane crash.
For those of you who still have your Dad alive - spend as much time as you can with him while you can. No one is guaranteed of life tomorrow so live for and love him while you can.
P.S. -Don't forget to tell him that you love him