Fathers – Roots and Wings
He held my hand
All the way to the Kindergarten door
kissed my nose
and he set me free.
He guided the pink-bedazzled bike
down the driveway,
sent me sailing alone
and he set me free.
He put my feet on his
in that nursery waiting room.
We waltzed, waiting for brother
and he set me free
He hugged me when my first date knocked,
Said, “If I didn’t teach you
anything by now, it’s too late.”
And he set me free.
He drove me to the coast
that rainy September morn.
He hugged me in front of the dorm,
and he set me free.
He walked me down the flower-decked aisle
on a lovely June morning,
kissed my veiled forehead
and he set me free.
∞ ∞ ∞
I kissed his forehead
one last time
as he lay dying
in the burn center.
And I set him free.
∞ ∞ ∞
Fatherhood is a lifetime
of setting your kids free.
And some day, we have to do
the same for them.
Happy Fathers Day to all the Dad’s, Stepdads, Foster Dads, Grandpas, and Big Brother-Dad Stand-ins! We love you and we appreciate your quiet, loving and watchful eyes. Not all of us were lucky enough to have a Dad like mine. Thank you to those men who took the place of the fathers who weren’t there.
Blessings,
Take care of yourself, we need you!