The Greatest Gift

Christmas day was behind us.

The year would soon end.

And I hadn't an inkling

My world would upend

~

On that December evening

In Amarillo,

When your mother announced

It was high time we go

~

To the nearest hospital

Where we'd finally meet

Our first-born, our daughter,

So small and so sweet.

~

But our sweet little cherub

Met a challenge or two.

Over thirteen hours later,

I'd finally meet you.

~

And, indeed, you were perfect

In every way

After struggling to make

Your debut on that day.

~

Now, I think back on all of

The struggles you had,

With a Mom only sixteen

And eighteen-year-old Dad

~

And all of the challenges

You've made it through

While I've watched in the wings, as

You've come shining through.

~

And we've had our own struggles

Of course, you and I.

You're a smart, strong-willed woman.

I'm a bullheaded guy.

~

Each time, you've come out stronger

And more self-assured

And the girl's given way to

A woman, matured.

~

Now, you've raised your own family

And they've blossomed and grown

And your beautiful daughter's

Raising one of her own.

~

So, today, as the Season

Approaches again,

I can't help but get lost in

Remembering when.

~

When you rode on my shoulders,

Without a care.

When you knew that, no matter what,

Dad would be there.

~

Then the dark recollections

Creep into my mind

And I wonder just how much

We've left behind.

~

Though the road back sometimes seems

Too hard to repair

I still hope that your heart knows

I'll always be there.

~

And I hope that you know, still,

You'll always be

A Holiday blessing

That God gave to me.

***