My Father

My father let me wrap my little hand around his two fingers when we’d go walking, and so I learned to trust.

My father would let me mimic the footsteps he’d take, and so I learned to journey forth with confidence.

My father held me, sometimes a little too tightly, when monsters lurked in my world, and so I learned to feel safe.

My father let me feel my feelings without judging them, and so I learned to feel okay with who I was and how to cope in various situations.

My father listened when I would talk about the world and my understanding of it, and so I learned to appreciate thought and questioning.

My father would take me to church and I would watch him love and appreciate the Lord, and so I learned that faith was about the way you lived.

My father fed me food that nourished my body, and so I learned to value health.

My father took time every night to tuck me in and make me feel as though I was important, and so I learned that I was.

My father would help me even when I felt ashamed, and so I learned to rise again.

My father would teach me about trees and birds, and so I learned to pay attention to detail.

My father would speak kindly even of those who hurt him, and so I learned to be positive.

My father would acknowledge strangers and put a smile on their face, and so I learned to be friendly.

My father has lived every moment of his life with honor and dedication, and so I have learned how lucky I am to have been blessed with such a wonderful person as my father.