Daddy

In Memory of

Marvin William Pearson

March 18, 1899 - July 3, 1987

As slow-turning clock hands altered your step

and dusted your dark hair with gray,

the love in your heart - undiminished by time -

grew stronger and sweeter each day

and memories flooded my soul ...

With my small hand tucked inside your firm grip,

I stood on tip-toe and

peeked beyond the boundaries of your love.

Desolate lowlands stretched ...

Lonely hilltops beaconed ...

I saw, instead, splendor unfolding ...

golden vistas shimmering ...

With scarcely a backward glance I left you.

With sorrow and pride you watched me go.

Thank you, Daddy, for carrying me in your heart long after I outgrew your arms.

When fear nibbled the edges of hope,

I looked back and found your smile

of encouragement.

When failure put a black mark on yesterday,

you reached forward to place a gold star on tomorrow.

When I made mistakes ...

when despair rained down upon my shoulders ...

your strength kept my head held high.

Thank you, Daddy, for being mine.

As slow-moving clock hands

marked off those hours,

I folded them gently away.

Along with the memories of my hand in yours

and lessons well-learned yesterday.