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Youngatheart
Member

since 2003-12-30

Posts 333

0 posted 2004-02-29 10:51 AM

Dear Dad,
It seems so impossible it has been almost three years
When we let you slip so far away.
On Friday the thirteenth we couldn’t hold back the tears
Happy Birthday we wanted to say.

This spring will bring back the thoughts, the sorrow we faced
As the cancer caused you such pain.
Will dig up the guilt we felt deep in our heavy hearts
For begging God to take you home again.

Is it a cliché to say that you never once complained?
Only worried how I would be.
It may be- but it is totally the truth, for me the
Love in your eyes I could see.

In your dieing bed you looked very small, sick and old
I could hardly believe it to be true.
That this gentle man that I had adored all my life long
Would be facing a life that was new.

None of us would ever deny that the years growing up
Were not always happy and anger free.
We all remember the struggles caused by human mistakes
But for us that was our reality.

The five of us fought, cried and we quarreled for hours
Forgetting to use tolerance.
Your bottle and mom’s depression governed our sad household.
We three hung on just by chance.

While others admired our family that looked very strong;
We were such emotional cripples.
Did others really not know what was going on within the walls?
Not see, it was not all so simple?

But as I grew older and you found grace from our heavenly Father
I saw what others could see.
A strong family of loving and caring parents and children
But only with human frailties.

You unselfishly tossed away your liquid stability, while mom
Finally found peace in her life.
We celebrated some very good years full of laughter and smiles.
Glorious days truly empty of strife.

I learned as time went on; as I married, had a daughter
That my young perspective had not been clear.
That becoming a parent does not guarantee perfection at all
Even daddies and mommies have their fears.

So when I think back when I was only three or four years old
And I looked up to you as my king.
Before I was old enough to know what was going on in your head
I now understand this one little thing.

That I saw in you then the wonderful loving man that you were-
My bond with you had been formed.
That I loved you with all of my heart because you were so kind,
So sensitive and so very warm.

I know now that you and mom did the best that you could.
Another cliché! I am sorry to whine.
You can hold your head high, stick out your chest full with pride
Your children all turned out just fine.

In June when the anniversary of your death comes round again,
I will proudly stand by your grave.
I shall remember the wonderful warm memories, not the sad;
With a smile I’ll slowly walk away.

I love you always.

DavePage
Member Elite

since 2003-12-21

Posts 2917

1 posted 2004-02-29 12:59 PM

I love your words

Honesty in every one

The Lord is my Shepherd
I shall not want
He maketh to lie down in pastures
He restoreth my soul

I am not a religious person, but the words fit

Dave

passing shadows
Member Empyrean

since 1999-08-26

Posts 45577
displaced

2 posted 2004-02-29 02:01 PM

oh my!

you didn't put a 'hankie alert' on here

You know this touches me so much, and makes me just want to hug you so tight

Youngatheart
Member

since 2003-12-30

Posts 333

3 posted 2004-03-01 08:49 AM

Thank you, Dixie, for such a nice response. It felt good writing it......

Marge Tindal

Member Empyrean

since 1999-11-06

Posts 42384
Florida's Foreverly Shores

4 posted 2004-03-01 09:43 AM

YoungAtHeart~
What a tender rush of gentle emotion~
If *hugs* help ... know that I send mine~
*Huglets*
~*Marge*~

~*When the heart grieves over what it has lost,
the spirit rejoices over what it has left.
- Sufi epigram <))><

noles1@totcon.com

Youngatheart
Member

since 2003-12-30

Posts 333

5 posted 2004-03-01 12:20 PM

Marge, You were so sweet to respond to my poem. Thank you so much. Youngatheart

KoKo
Senior Member

since 2003-02-15

Posts 995
Inside the shadow's shadow

6 posted 2004-03-01 05:06 PM

This was so sad, so beautiful. It helped me a bit, made me a little less bitter about my own father dying. Thank you for this. It touched me, deep inside my soul.

Kristabell
Senior Member

since 2003-11-29

Posts 678
Portland, OR

7 posted 2004-03-01 06:15 PM

Wow. A lot of power. Great one.

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