For the Man who Gave me Everything

This was a Christmas present for my dad. I still cry when I read it.

It was a long time ago, too many moons to count,

When one thought brought on 18 years of something I’m sure there’s no word for,

Of one plus two, of me and you, of love and trust, and the eventual melding together into what we now know as family.

I was daddy's little girl from day one,

Saturday Car shows, days together spent

I know you often boast giving me the longest naps, always had that special touch,

Like when you paced the floor scribbling pen on paper, anxious by the phone,

With one touch of your hand, I became Emily.

I owe so much to you, who I credit for my identity, who gave me the jokes I told, the habits, small mannerisms, so slight I never really noticed until I started time on my own

You gave me tools I didn’t quite know how to use and turned me loose on an old, broken serger. Somehow you already knew I liked to piece things together, to build, to create.

You gave me the music in my veins; car rides fueled with mixed tapes of songs I knew by heart, yet I still had to hold the CD case.

Just another of my antics, one more little thing we shared as you put up with my silly games and backwards logic. It made for great stories: of 'old grey cat', pushing red buttons, and shoving toes in your ears. Pictures in your computer retell every moment like a movie screen.

Lacrosse, high school, graduation night, trips around the globe, Christmas morning, Halloween; you were there, like you always are, right behind the camera locking each second away in your mind's eye.

Soon another year comes to a close, more change, more time spent, more memories made. And as always I’m daddy’s girl, no matter what. So on Christmas morning as I take my time in your place, behind the lens soaking up the memories of my daddy;

 As I hear you speak my words I want to remind you now how much you mean to me, and this poem, tucked in your drawer with my other keep sakes will be yours to treasure forever reminding you that I love you and that I always will.

Reviews

[KCthelastboyscout]

I'm pretty sure when he was holding you as a baby for the first time that was the best present he ever got and I'm quite sure this is second place. this is a treasure for everyone to find. From the moment you thought of it to typing it onscreen this was perfect