The gift of believing

Today was Daddy's Day at school,

and he couldn't wait to go.

But his mommy tried to tell him,

that he probably should stay home.

Why the kids might not understand,

if he went to school alone.

But he was not afraid;

he knew just what to say.

What to tell his classmates

of why he wasn't there today.

But still his mother worried,

for him to face this day alone.

And that was why once again,

she tried to keep his son home.

But the little boy went to school

eager to tell them all.

About a dad he 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 his name,

every child turned to stare.

Each of them was searching,

for a man who wasn't there.

"Where's his daddy at?"

he heard a boy call out.

"He probably doesn't have one,"

another student dared to shout.

And from somewhere near the back,

he heard a daddy say,

"Looks like another deadbeat dad,

too busy to waste his day."

The words did not offend him,

as he smiled up at his Mom.

And looked back at his teacher,

who told him to go on.

And with hands behind his back,

slowly he 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.

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 bicycle.

He surprised me with pink roses ,

and we played ball in the garden.

He gave me nice toys,

and took me for amazing fun rides.
He stood whole night for my admission,
and always gave me chocolates.

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, his little hand reached up,

and lay across his chest.

Feeling his own heartbeat.
beneath his favorite dress.

And from somewhere here in the crowd of dads,

his mother stood in tears.

Proudly watching his son,

who was wise beyond his years.

For he stood up for the love

of a man not in his life.

Doing what was best for him,

doing what was right.

And when he dropped his hand back down,

staring straight into the crowd.

he 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 he's just too far.

But sometimes when I close my eyes,

it's like he never went away."

And then he closed his eyes,

and he saw him there that day.

And to his 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 his side.

"I know you're with me Daddy,"

to the silence he 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 him,

was a fragrant long-stemmed pink rose.

And a child was blessed, if only for a moment,

by the love of his shining star.

And given the gift of believing,

that he never went away.

Daddy, "I Love You"

Daddy, I love you

For all that you do.

I'll kiss you and hug you

'Cause you love me, too.

You feed me and need me

To teach you to play.

So smile 'cause I love you

On this Father's Day.