Daddy's poem

----------------------
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 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,
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 al ways 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 is a soldier
And died just this past year
When a roadside bomb hit his convoy
And taught the world to fear. 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 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 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.

GOD Bless the Military... ♥
—

[graciegirl]

Thank you Bosox for that beautiful tribute. You are a Patriot in more ways than one.



and.....................Thank you Uncle Carl, Uncle Paul, Uncle Ernie, Uncle Fred, Uncle Ralph and Dad.

And all of the others who proudly served.

Thank you for protecting our freedoms and enabling us to live here in peace.

[Taltarzac725]

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Iraq/Afghanistan Wars-- Group plans to honor Iraq, Afghanistan war vets - Army News | News from Afghanistan & Iraq - Army Times

[hulahips]

Thank you for the beautiful tribute!! That is what Memorial Day is all about!! I can't wait till they do the recreation center with a Military theme.
If it weren't for these brave men and women we wouldn't be able to enjoy our life we do have. Freedom isn't free. They have paid the ultimate and God Bless their families too!! Thank you for remembering!!

Originally Posted by hulahips

Thank you for the beautiful tribute!! That is what Memorial Day is all about!! I can't wait till they do the recreation center with a Military theme.
If it weren't for these brave men and women we wouldn't be able to enjoy our life we do have. Freedom isn't free. They have paid the ultimate and God Bless their families too!! Thank you for remembering!!

You're Welcome

[Bucco]

I join you today in asking for God to continue to watch over all who have given their life defending all that we hold so dear in this country. These men and women did not care what party they were or you were, and they made so many sacrifices !!!

If anyone wants to be moved, visit our Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington and just stand there with your thoughts watching the sentry. If that does not bring home what this day is all about, I cannot imagine what might. We try so hard to take care of our fallen heroes. REMEMBER THEM THIS WEEKEND !

[Ken24]

Today I'm at my brother inlaws as he retires from the Marine. Thank you to all that served.

[swimdawg]

THANK YOU TO ALL WHO HAVE SERVED OUR COUNTRY....AND ARE NOW SERVING OUR COUNRTY.

Our freedom is worth more than money can buy.

I am so grateful to all those who have and are serving our wonderful country.

You are the best!

God Bless America!

LET FREEDOM RING!

* BTW, my Lexi (avatar pic) is the Navy Seabee Mascot.

[bkcunningham1]

God Bless America, please. God Bless our military and the families who sacrifice for each of us reading this. God Bless you. Thank you for your service and sacrifice for me, my family, friends and my country.

Thank you Bosoxfan and the other posters for your beautiful words and thoughts. Be safe this weekend. B.K.

[KathieI]

God Bless Our
Troops and
Keep them Safe

[lovsthosebigdogs]

That was beautiful and as a mom who just recently welcomed her son home from Iraq, all I could picture was my little granddaughter in that position. Truly lovely and my heart aches for all those military famlies not as lucky as we were to see our loved one again. Thank you for posting.