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  Dedicated to Harold C. Hughes
July 25 ,1925 – May 19, 2005

There's my Dad - standing tall and strong,
 whether right or wrong, that’s who he was.
That’s my Dad - he once was young and proud,
 sometimes more than allowed, that's my Dad . . .

Growing up – I was the oldest of six kids,
a lot was laid on me I didn't like.
Even though - I wasn't really his, he offered me his name
and stood against his family for what was right.
A lot of things were forced upon us, an indication of the times.
We'd stand toe to toe and argue - over everything, sometimes.

But he's my Dad - standing tall and strong,
 whether right or wrong, that’s who he was.
That's my Dad - he once was young an proud,
 sometimes more than allowed, that's my Dad . . .

And as I got older, I got closer to the man.
He let me go my own way, even though against his plans.
He admitted I was old enough and had my life to live,
but he was always there for me, ready to forgive.

That's my Dad - standing tall and strong,
 whether right or wrong, that’s who he was.
That's my Dad - he once was young an proud,
 sometimes more than allowed, that's my Dad . . .

                            Smokey Lonesome
                 May 22, 2005 / Phoenix, Arizona