Family

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HELLO DADDY

You always went ahead of me
And passed your lessons down.
You always had advice for me ~
The kind that’s good and sound;
You shielded and you loved me,
You gave the best you had.
You took pride in the way you looked ~
I was proud to call you Dad.

I watched you while I was a child
And knew what to expect ~
The way you cheered the underdog
And earned all men’s respect.
Oh, Daddy, I can’t count the times
I came to you, uncertain,
And found unfailing, strong support ~
Refuge from my hurtin’.

Now the poignant memories
Flood o’er me like a river ~
That certain way you stepped in time,
Your voice’s own dear quiver;
The tender way you listened first
To problems of a neighbor ~
Glad to give him of yourself,
Joyed to do a favor.

...How like you to slip off alone ~
Not bother us with worry....
To blaze the hundredth path for me
Without a sign of hurry;
But Daddy, somehow, one more time,
I’d like to say, “I love you”,
To take your guiding hand in mine
And thank the Lord above you.

While mem’ries flood my wounded heart ~
With tears and pride o’erflowing ~
I face the future solemnly
But confident, in knowing
You’ll be waiting when I come
To Heaven’s golden city;
And you will answer when you hear
My familiar...”Hello, Daddy!”

Joan Clifton Costner
copyright
http://underhiswings0.tripod.com

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