Daddy's Poem

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 women and their families for the sacrifice they are
making to keep our country Free.

Comments

[Donna, Los Osos, CA]

Wow Major. A little warning please. I'm at work. This is a wonderful poem.

God bless our troops and their families! No greater love...

[liza c]

that was very touching.. godspeed everyone!

[Just_Me]

You DEFINITELY need some sort of icon/hanky alert!

Thanks for sharing this.

[Helen]

What a way to start my day - with tears in my eyes!

Thank you!

[Pincher]

Thank You!
I agree a little warning was needed here!
But, maybe not...
Hopefully, it helped us close our eyes and see what she saw. Her Daddy, her Hero.. Our Hero..
God Bless all our troops who have served and are serving us today.
You are the VERY best!

[Mom2corps]

What really gets to me is I do see her Daddy. I see all of those fine men and women who have paid the ultimate price for our freedom and security. I praise God we are so fortunate to have people in this country with the courage to be them. I thank God everyday that my dad survived WWII, and my son survived Iraq.
I will continue to pray for all who are on the frontlines. God bless you all. Semper Fi.

[Karen I.]

All tears here.

[texasdillo]

I have sent this to everyone Bro.

[CT "Ace" Troop Supporter]

GOOD TO SEE THIS IS STILL BEING FORWARDED.
WE ARE THINKING OF YOU ALL THERE.
TAKE CARE.

[Linda]

God bless all our brave troops and their families who are enduring such tremendous sacrifices for us. God almighty, what a powerful poem and reminder of what you and your families give up.

[Tricia Miller]

What we can learn from brave children who's daddy has paid the ultimate price is beyond words. If we all could be as brave and living out our faith as this awesome girl, our country would be much better! This poem says it all! Thanks, Major Pain

[Miss Emu]

I think that this little girl -who ever she may be -learned how to be brave and couragoue from her Hero.
And now she teaches others not to judge her Hero.

Belief in your faith will move more than a mountain it will open the door to Heaven so a little girl can see and speak with her Hero.

A lesson we all should take to our own hearts and minds so our souls will rest easy.

[Ky Woman]

NO matter how many times I read this, I have tears running down my cheeks.

Prayers for all our Marines, Navy, Army, Air Force who are standing between us and evil.

God Bless and Keep you safe.

[APACHEE]

I REMEMBER RECIEVING THIS IN AN EMAIL AND I CRIED THEN AND I EVEN CRIED AFTER READING THIS AGAIN, IT TOUCHES MY HEART AND I WAS PROUD OF HER AS I AM ALL OF THOSE THAT FIGHT FOR US,,NOTHING BUT LOVE AND PRAYERS,THIS POEM IS A REAL REALITY CHECK ON LIFE ITSELF

[Renee]

soo beautiful, i had tears in my eyes && goosebumps on my skin!

Renee xx

[Stuart]

I cried reading this poem because it is exactly why I am proud to be a Dad. There is no greater love.

[Elizabeth]

I'm 12 years old and this poem realy touched me i read it to my whole family and when i read it to my mom she started crying i read it on myspace and reposted right away for those kids that are in the same position as that little girl

[Robert]

This was incredible.

[Stephanie. R]

my best friend old me about this poem a couple months ago. I am 16 years old and this poem reminds me about September 11th 2001. Plus,it takes the time for me to think about the many who lost their lives. *T_T*

[Monica Teichert]

wow i never knew that such poetry could touch the hearts of so many.

God Bless

[SD Reza]

Our daughter read this poem in 8th grade in front of her entire school. We cried when she recited it then and we cried reading it again. She is 20 years old now and we are so proud to say that she is a PFC in the United States Marine Corps.
Thank You.

[joi]

i am thirteen and read this daily to remind of the courage children of all ages go through beacause of the war trully toutched cry just thinking about it