What a Dad will do for his daughter is rock his sick baby girl until the sun peeks
through the darkness letting him know the night of worry is over.
He will take her small hand in his and walk slowly as she takes her first walk to the ice cream shop
to share a cone full of heaven on earth.
He will sip from a tiny tea cup she set in front of him and in harmony with the stuffed animals carefully
placed in their seats he will sing the praises of her great hospitality.
He will sit through dance recitals and fashion shows where he is the only audience and clap with enthusiasm
of a thousand people.
He will take her fishing and play softball, and introduce her to the world outside as if just experiencing
it for the first time himself. Perhaps he is.
He will sit with her through sweat and tears over homework that was supposed to be turned in the day
before and he'll smile as they finish, seeing her relief.
He will place a firm hand on the shoulder of the young man that comes to take her to the school dance
silently letting him know where he stands and what he expects.
He will watch with overflowing pride as his young lady accepts her high school diploma and will silently
pray to God to calm his fears and get him throughout the day.
He will be full of conversation and more than happy to listen when she calls him now and then.
Even when the game of the year is on.
He will gently fold her arm around his and with all the courage and faith he can hold onto he will stroll
down the aisle, giving her hand but keeping her youth.
He will be the first one in the maternity ward, at the nursery window, carefully inspecting the activities
of his new family member. Another part of her, another part of him.
He will reassure her as time rages on and the signs of his age start to frighten her.
He will caress her hand with passion to which she has never felt as he whispers his last wishes to her.
He will come to her heart for all her life as she sees his manner in herself or his features in her
children.
He will live in the smiles that grace her face as she remembers the things he did for her.
