Phil, I have posted this before but it is a poem I wrote on my Daddy's birthday many years after he was gone. My Daddy was a hard-working man and all he ever knew was farm work. He loved all us children and wanted us to be the best we could. He could be very stern with this but his strength is what helped me make it without him. I never thought I would miss him as much as I did. He was my strength! Yet, losing him helped me apply those same rules to my life and helped me survive during many battles.
I salute all Fathers on this Father's Day for once they were the backbone of the family.
ON MY DADDY’S BIRTHDAY
Daddy, I have loved you so
in many ways you may never know.
You were my strength when things went wrong.
You never let me down,
I could always count on
you to go along.
I was not afraid of anything
when you were there strongly
protecting and loving.
I just never knew how much
it meant to have you,
to hear your laughter,
see the sparkle in your eyes
and feel your touch.
No, I never knew how precious
where these moments
until they were no more and many,
many years have gone by since.
Yet, lingering always fresh
and crisp in memory
is the love I know you
had for me.
We shared many good and happy times,
and I failed
to tell you as I should
somehow I know you understand.
So today, again, my sweet Daddy
I will always love you and send
Happy Birthday wishes to another land.
Sara Gardner Blow ©1989
Sara