Daughters fill our hearts
Even as they burst forth from the womb,
Knowing deeply inside that we must protect them,
At least for two decades,
But truthfully beyond,
Even though it is a secret
That we must often keep to ourselves.

Daughters break our hearts,
From the first time
That we take their hands in ours,
Sensing that our tenure
As the man who consumes their world
Will one day end,
Leaving us crushed and bereft,
But most of all alone,
And jealous of what or who has stolen them away.

Daughters captivate us
From the first time they say our name,
Or roll from their bellies to their backs,
Or crawl,
Walk,
Or cradle a doll in the crook of their tiny little arms.
We are consumed with providing for their safety;
Whether it is a first date,
Or that first solo drive in the family car.

We are happiest when they are near,
Accepting phone calls for intimacy
When the distance is too great to see their smiles,
And we miss them when they are gone,
Gone making lives for themselves,
For they leave a hole that can never be filled,
Dreams that can never be realized,
Companionship that cannot be duplicated,
Only fears,
For the million things that might go wrong,
Things that we could prevent
If only we were near.

And we are relegated to wait:
For the grandchildren who once again make us whole,
Once again bringing purpose to our lives,
Time once again with our daughters,
And relevance in their lives,
For there is no more trusted advice
Than Dad,
Who once did so well with them,
And who truly knows what it means to love,
As one who loved enough to set them free,
And who stood as a solitary sentry,
Waiting,
Ever waiting,
Until his name is called again.

Such is a father’s love for his daughters.