Merry Christmas, Dad

Merry Christmas, Dad
     by Amy Swanson   


Dad,

    I always think of you
           every day...
              but holidays like this

can make it a little harder.

I hear the Christmas songs of cheer
     see the lights up in the square
           the busy murmurs of people
               shopping for their loved ones...

It seems almost perfect.

The tree, the lights,
      the gifts,
          the songs and plays
              joyful vacation days;

but something's missing.

The voice that rang throughout the house
      Christmas season
            singing triumphantly, beautifullly
                  "O Holy Night"

I still can't listen to that song
    without hearing
         your strong voice
               in my ears.

The hands that wiped my tears,
     wrapped my Christmas presents
           made his special "banana pudding recipe"
                left me letters from Santa.

Oh dad... how I miss you.

I know they say time heals
      and life goes on
          and all those other wonderful cliches
                 that people always tell you

simply because they don't know what else to say.


I will never forget you - my hero, my protector.

I speak of you often
    to my own little girl
         want her to know
              the grandpa she can't meet yet...

the grandpa who would love her so.

Dad, you are always in our hearts and minds,
     I never got to say thank you...
         for everything.
              for helping me to be

the woman I am today.

I look at my reflection in the mirror - I can also see you.
   I sing my songs - and I can also hear you.
       I laugh... and sometimes I can hear your laughter too.
           My daughter smiles at me... and you are in her smile.

I wish that you could know how much
     you've always meant to me
         and all the things that you have done
              to shape my life, so positively...

But all that I can say,
        is this:

Merry Christmas, Dad.

I love you.

Copyright © | Year Posted 2008



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Date: 12/1/2008 2:14:00 PM
Wonderful tribute to your Dad. It sounds like your Dad still sings in your soul. Keep those memories alive even though it still hurts to do so. People like your Dad don't walk into our lives every day. They are a treasure. Blessings to you for sharing this one with us. The tears are falling so I'll close for now. Take care. Karen
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Date: 11/28/2008 6:11:00 PM
This is such a beautiful tribute, he must have been such a wonderful father to have earned such love like this. What sweet memories he has given you to treasure all your days. And the memories can carry on through your own child. He is alive in you and in her, cherish those thoughts and be glad. God Bless you and your little girl. I will think of this poem when I hear that beautiful Christmas Carol. ~ Love, Carrie
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Date: 11/28/2008 4:13:00 PM
Big lump in my throat here. An amazingly touching and beautifully written tribute. Reminds me of how I miss my mom. I have a very strong intuitive feeling, somehow your dad knows, exactly all these things you feel. The cycle continues, and they would want us to be happy, and so we must, for them, for others, and for ourselves. Happy holidays to you and yours. Love, Shar
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