Her hair 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
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 red rose.
And a child was
blessed, if only for a moment,
by the love of her
bright shining star.
And given the gift of
believing,
that heaven is never
too far.
Author
: Cheryl Costello-Forshey |
2000
USED BY PERMISSION |
This work may
not be copied or reproduced in any form without the written consent of the
author, Cheryl Costello-Forshey |
This poem has been published in two
books |
"Chicken Soup
for the Parent's Soul" and "Stories for a Teen's Heart 2". |
To contact the Author, click
HERE. |
|