My Daddy

Through a young daughter's eyes,
My Daddy:
a big powerful man,
Regal,
Stoic,
with his flattop military haircut,
his strong capable arms,
his commanding presence.
Laughter:
saturday morning cartoons,
Abbott and Costello,
"All in the Family"
Jerry Lewis on sunday afternoons.
Singing in the car
on the way to Richmonds dairy for ice cream.
Long Sunday drives
getting "lost",
finding our way home.
Dancing in the living room to
Simon and Garfunkle.
Many kinds of music played:
The Four Seasons,
The Tops,
Beethoven,
Roberta Flack,
"Killing Me Softly".
Daddy taking my little girl hand in his when crossing the street.
Feeling protected,
cared for,

loved.
Happy childhood days spent with family and friends.
Many memories
most of them good ones.

Through a young woman's eyes:
My Daddy:
a big powerful man,
Regal,
Stoic,
with his grey, thinning hair,
his loving heart,
his caring presence,

his kind words.

The big man

with his little walker

taking small unsteady steps.

Eyes failing,

hearing declining,

hands weak.

Laughter..

always..

about anything.

Singing..

Joy..

Happiness..

Admiration..

Love..

My hand taking Daddy's hand..

so that he will feel..

protected..

cared for..

loved.

Happy days spent with family and friends

many memories,

most of them good.