Thoughts of Dad

I lost my dad to heart disease in 1979. I was in my early 20’s. I just got out of the military and was newly married and moved across the country from him to live my American Dream. Even today I still have;

Thoughts of dad

Sometimes I find myself, alone in quiet places
I close my eyes and free my mind, and feel his warm embraces
He’d hoist me up beside him, and we’d snuggle in his chair
A silent comfort wrapped me tight, a bond we’d always share

Through thick and thin we held that bond, I feel it still today
Though milestones have passed me by, since dad has passed away
He wasn’t much on talkin’, and emotions stayed inside
But when he spoke I listened, my heart would swell with pride

I’m reminded of the words he spoke, one day when asked in jest
If anything but human …what would be the best?

I’d like to be a Maple Tree, in a meadow near a spring
I’d shelter all the nesting birds, and listen to them sing
Young lovers lean against me, while I give them shade
My sap is offered freely, so Maple Syrup is made

A quiet man he may have been, but honest to the core
And what you see is what you get, he never asked for more
His handshake firm and hardy, his word was good as gold
He showed me how to live my life, while watching his unfold

The things he never said to me, were equally received
As things he did around me, and how they were perceived
He taught me by example, and backed it up with love
Though the words were seldom heard, they now come from above

My quiet time dissolves away, I open up my eyes
I swallow back emotions, and keep them safe inside
Remembering his warm embrace, I’ve missed so many years
I linger on the fading thoughts, his words still in my ears

I’d like to be a Maple Tree, in a meadow near a spring
I’d shelter all the nesting birds, and listen to them sing
Young lovers lean against me, while I give them shade
My sap is offered freely, so Maple Syrup is made

My own son’s off to college now, his grandpa was unknown
I’ve tried to pass on stories; I hope the seed was sown
His grandpa was a fine man; his shoes were hard to fill
But passing on the bond was easy, I can feel it still