Daddy, Wait For Me!

Daddy knew his life was ending, and his days on earth were few,
As he’d call my name, I answered, “Daddy, I’m here beside you.”
With a weakened smile of recognition on his ashen face, and
He knew nothing in this world, could move me from this place.

Love filled my heart with sadness, knowing daddy was leaving me.
Bringing back floods of memories, on how things used to be.
Daddy was always there to pick me up, when I fell along life’s way,
And he never let me down, from childhood to this very day.

No matter where my daddy was, I invariably tracked him down.
He was always there to greet me, but sometimes he had to frown.
Like the time I walked eight miles, to tell daddy of my plight,
I got punished by momma, until daddy made things right.

He’d wait for me til I came home, whether from school or on a date.
I tried to always be on time, but a few times I ran late.
There he was just standing there, with a stern look on his face.
But I’d explain, he would wink, and that look was soon replaced.

As the life was ebbing out of him, I’d wipe his hands and feet.
We’d talk about the loved ones that he would soon greet.
As he dozed off, I stared at him, trying to memorize,
Everything about him, his hands, his face, his eyes.

Then suddenly I realized that this man was in my soul.
How could I forget him, when he helped to make me whole?
He will be with me forever, in my heart and in my life.
Lessons that he taught me, will help with family strife.

I have to go now daddy, but will return in two days or three.
I saw the pain cross daddy’s face, but he never said a word to me.
Wait for me daddy, I will return, but wished that I had stayed.
I had to go, I promised, a prior commitment I had made.

Daddy always waited, and I thought that he would be,
Standing there a waitin’, like he did since I was three.
But when God called, daddy answered, and went that very night.
How now, can I explain to him, to try and put things right?

Somehow I know that daddy knew, just what he meant to me,
I only hope he understood why so suddenly I had to flee.
The pain I felt was unbearable, my heart ached and burned,
As I looked up, daddy looked back, and he saw that I returned.

Written for my wonderful father.  I love you Dad!