Poem to remember 9/11
Her hair was up in a ponytail 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, for 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 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 heavens just too far.
You see he was a fireman and died just this past year
when airplanes hit the towers and taught Americans 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 pink rose.
And a child was blessed, if only for a moment, by the love of her
shining bright star.
And given the gift of believing, That heaven is never too far
They say it takes a minute to find a special person, an hour to
appreciate them, a day to love them, but then an entire life to
forget them. Take the time...to live and love.