Grassroots Gatherings for Peace, Prosperity, & Possibility
Making His Wish Come True - Happy Father’s Day, Dad!
It was my first semester of college, and my first time away from home. Christmas was just around the corner, but my budget allowed for little more than Ramen noodles and pizza. So I wrote my Dad a poem as his gift, and framed it on green poster board with red ribbons along with pictures of us together that I dug out of a shoebox in my mother’s attic.
It has been tacked up next to the mirror on his bathroom wall since 1988. Every Father’s Day, he asks me to submit it to the local newspaper. He longs to see his ode published… (maybe passing along a little father/daughter love to the world?)
Usually, I smile and shake my head. This is not the kind of thing you read in the newspaper. It’s no great masterpiece. It’s just a gift of love from a young woman who is finding her way, appreciating the love and guidance of the man who raised her.
But this year, I’ve got a blog. So Dad gets his wish. I’m finally “publishing” his cherished poem. Enjoy:
“My Dad”
A teacher to share with me wisdom and truth,
To clarity the confusions of youth…
A sculptor to mold me with patience and grace,
Removing self-doubt, carving hope in its place…
A guide to expose me to worlds that seem new…
A believer in all that I say and I do…
A counselor to lead me whenever I’m lost…
A friend who will back me at any cost…
All of these things a father should be.
All of these things you’ve been to me.
A faith in my efforts, which often, it seems,
Gives me the courage to pursue my dreams…
A love which has offered me warnings to heed,
Yet still allows me the freedom I need…
A shield to protect me from Misfortune’s blade…
A trust which accepts the decisions I’ve made…
A comforting presence when I’m far away…
A gentle nudge when life leads me astray…
A shoulder to lean on whenever I’m sad…
It’s these things that make my “father” my “Dad.”*****
Happy Father’s Day, Dads! May all your wishes come true.
It has been tacked up next to the mirror on his bathroom wall since 1988. Every Father’s Day, he asks me to submit it to the local newspaper. He longs to see his ode published… (maybe passing along a little father/daughter love to the world?)
Usually, I smile and shake my head. This is not the kind of thing you read in the newspaper. It’s no great masterpiece. It’s just a gift of love from a young woman who is finding her way, appreciating the love and guidance of the man who raised her.
But this year, I’ve got a blog. So Dad gets his wish. I’m finally “publishing” his cherished poem. Enjoy:
“My Dad”
A teacher to share with me wisdom and truth,
To clarity the confusions of youth…
A sculptor to mold me with patience and grace,
Removing self-doubt, carving hope in its place…
A guide to expose me to worlds that seem new…
A believer in all that I say and I do…
A counselor to lead me whenever I’m lost…
A friend who will back me at any cost…
All of these things a father should be.
All of these things you’ve been to me.
A faith in my efforts, which often, it seems,
Gives me the courage to pursue my dreams…
A love which has offered me warnings to heed,
Yet still allows me the freedom I need…
A shield to protect me from Misfortune’s blade…
A trust which accepts the decisions I’ve made…
A comforting presence when I’m far away…
A gentle nudge when life leads me astray…
A shoulder to lean on whenever I’m sad…
It’s these things that make my “father” my “Dad.”*****
Happy Father’s Day, Dads! May all your wishes come true.
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