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Sunday 26 May 2013

Faith Reflection Sunday - Memorial Weekend

Today, on this Memorial Weekend in the United States, my poem of Joseph gladly takes a back seat to an incredible poem of love which I found on Caring & Sharing.

My love, thoughts and prayers for the families of all those who gave everything for their country.
Beautiful and Meaningful


Daddy's Poem 

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Her hair was up in a pony tail, 
Her favorite dress tied with a bow. 
Today was Daddy's Day at school, 
And she couldn't wait to go. 

But her mommy tried to tell her, 
That she probably should stay home. 
Why the kids might not understand, 
If she went to school alone. 

But she was not afraid; 
She knew just what to say. 
What to tell her classmates 
Of why he wasn't there today. 

But still her mother worried, 
For her to face this day alone. 
And that was why once again, 
She tried to keep her daughter home. 

But the little girl went to school 
Eager to tell them all. 
About a dad she never sees 
A dad who never calls.

There were daddies along the wall in back, 
For everyone to meet. 
Children squirming impatiently, 
Anxious in their seats 

One by one the teacher called 
A student from the class. 
To introduce their daddy, 
As seconds slowly passed. 

At last the teacher called her name, 
Every child turned to stare. 
Each of them was searching, 
A man who wasn't there. 

'Where's her daddy at?' 
She heard a boy call out. 
'She probably doesn't have one,' 
Another student dared to shout. 

And from somewhere near the back, 
She heard a daddy say, 
'Looks like another deadbeat dad, 
Too busy to waste his day.' 

The words did not offend her, 
As she smiled up at her Mom. 
And looked back at her teacher, 
Who told her to go on. 
And with hands behind her back, 
Slowly she began to speak. 
And out from the mouth of a child, 
Came words incredibly unique. 

'My Daddy couldn't be here, 
Because he lives so far away. 
But I know he wishes he could be, 
Since this is such a special day. 

And though you cannot meet him, 
I wanted you to know. 
All about my daddy, 
And how much he loves me so. 

He loved to tell me stories 
He taught me to ride my bike. 
He surprised me with pink roses, 
And taught me to fly a kite. 

We used to share fudge sundaes, 
And ice cream in a cone. 
And though you cannot see him. 
I'm not standing here alone. 

'Cause my daddy's always with me, 
Even though we are apart 
I know because he told me, 
He'll forever be in my heart'

With that, her little hand reached up, 
And lay across her chest. 
Feeling her own heartbeat, 
Beneath her favorite dress.
And from somewhere here in the crowd of dads, 
Her mother stood in tears. 
Proudly watching her daughter, 
Who was wise beyond her years. 

For she stood up for the love 
Of a man not in her life. 
Doing what was best for her, 
Doing what was right. 

And when she dropped her hand back down, 
Staring straight into the crowd. 
She finished with a voice so soft, 
But its message clear and loud. 

'I love my daddy very much, 
he's my shining star. 
And if he could, he'd be here, 
But heaven's just too far. 

You see he is a soldier
And died just this past year 
When a roadside bomb hit his convoy 
And taught the world to fear.
But sometimes when I close my eyes, 
it's like he never went away.' 
And then she closed her eyes, 
And saw him there that day. 

And to her mother's amazement, 
She witnessed with surprise. 
A room full of daddies and children, 
All starting to close their eyes. 

Who knows what they saw before them, 
Who knows what they felt inside. 
Perhaps for merely a second, 
They saw him at her side. 

'I know you're with me Daddy,' 
To the silence she called out. 
And what happened next made believers, 
Of those once filled with doubt. 

Not one in that room could explain it, 
For each of their eyes had been closed. 
But there on the desk beside her, 
Was a fragrant long-stemmed rose. 
And a child was blessed, if only for a moment, 
By the love of her shining star. 
And given the gift of believing, 
That heaven is never too far.


15 comments:

  1. How inspirational, a great tribute to fallen soldiers and soldiers everywhere.

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    1. I absolutely agree, Cathrina and I couldn't have said it better.

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  2. Thank you for sharing such a beautiful poem, and photograph. They are truly an inspiration.

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    1. Thank you for the visit. It is beautiful, isn't it? I had multiple lumps in my throat...

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    2. I did too, and watery eyes...

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  3. Hi Fe,

    I'm so glad for your visit and kind words at my blog. Thank you.
    This poem's very precious. I'm sure it's lifted many spirits. That photo, too, takes my breath away.

    Be well. It's great to meet you.

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    1. Hello, Robyn. Thank you. It is a beautiful poem, isn't it?

      I love your blog and the words were simply truth.

      Be Blessed

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  4. Wow, that is incredibly powerful. Not a dry eye in the house for that speech.

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    1. That's so true, Alex.

      There were many thoughts which were pertinent but it was the tears that confirmed that it was the right decision for this time.

      May God Bless all their souls as they rest in Him.

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  5. When I stopped by your blog initially, this photo blew me away; it is so beautiful. The poem pulls at my heart strings. My fiance is in the Canadian Forces and while he's never been overseas, he wants few things more than to be sent on tour. It's a difficult concept for me to understand, but I try really hard. He tells me, "that's why we join the forces, hun." So I get it, I guess. I just can't imagine worrying every day.

    I'm really glad you stopped by my Botswana post! There are a bunch more if you have the time. The marriage proposal = sex explanation makes total sense! I did a lot of research before going over to Botswana, but I was not fully prepared for the gender dynamic. You can read all you want about that sort of thing, but experiencing it first hand is an entirely different matter. I visited Selebi-Phikwe when I was in Botswana actually. I was also in a few cities in SA too, Pretoria and Johannesburg/Soweto. I miss Botswana every day!

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    1. My heart goes out to you with your fiance being in the Forces. When I was married (about 975 years ago), my husband was in the South African Forces and he regularly had tours of duty in Angola. We were at war with Angola at the time and yes, the worry is really intense. When he wasn't on tour, he volunteered at Army Headquarters. I couldn't understand it either.

      I'll definitely stop over at your blog. You're quite right about research not giving you everything you need to know. I lived in Zambia as an ex-pat, as I said. I'd lived there for quite a while already and, it was only while I was doing a vac job that I was approached with that line and was told by the local man who was working with me what the man meant. He kicked him out of the shop and said that if I had any problems, I should let him know and he'd deal with whoever it was. My colleague's name was Cholera. I had such trouble saying it in the beginning but Africans have very strange names as you found out. China and Bacon (or whatever the other guy's name was) are, in all likelihood, their real names. I have a char who's name is Polite. I find that difficult to say without a smile as well.

      Another thing about which you were probably not warned - Africa gets into your blood. I have no idea why that is but it's a fact. Look forward to coming over again when the pull becomes too great. I'm only half kidding about this. Africa certainly does get into one's blood.

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  6. Replies
    1. It is, isn't it? I was blown away...

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  7. Hi, Fe,


    I am speechless. What a truly moving poem. Beautiful.

    Thanks for dropping by my blog. I'm glad you liked my excerpt.

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    1. Hello, Michael

      I think so too.

      Your blog is great and you're welcome...

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