Her hair was 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 * 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 here 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 * You see he was a firefighter * and died just this past year * When airplanes hit the towers * and taught Americans to fear. * But sometimes when I close my eyes, * it's like he never went away." * And then she closed her eyes, * and she saw him there that day. * And to her mothers 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 pink rose. * And a child was blessed, if only for a moment, * by the love of her shining star. * And given the gift of believing, * that heaven is never too far. * They say it takes a minute to find a special * person, an hour to appreciate them, * a day to love them, but then an entire * life to forget them.
19 years & 6 days ago
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