As your small hand grips mine,
I wonder if I am ready for the hardships before me.
Though you have just been born,
I feel like I can see your whole life before me.
I know that you will like sports,
Because your mother may some influence on that.
You may enjoy creating things,
I know I do.
But to see you grow into a toddler,
Oh the adventures you will have.
With your friends that you have imagined,
You will travel beyond the mountains,
And I will be there to listen to the adventures.
As you grow your adventures will grow beyond those of your imagination,
Your friends will add there own characters to yours,
Oh the adventures you will have.
The playground will grow to be a castle,
And the fields around will be filled with monsters.
And I will be not too far off watching and listening.
But as you grow further still,
I will still be there,
Watching as you grow into your preteens.
You will cling to your mother more than me,
Except when it comes to terms of money.
That’s okay by me,
She knows more than me when it comes to womanly growing up.
I only pray that you come to me when you need help,
Like you used too.
As you move into the actual teenage years,
You may start to stray from my protective gaze,
But I will make sure to know the police officers just in case.
I know that you will not get in trouble,
Your friends may pressure you into doing what is bad.
I know that it is just a part of growing up,
Making mistakes and living with them.
Just be sure that you always respect your teachers,
You may not believe them but they know what they are talking about.
The pride that you might have at graduation,
Realizing that you have accomplished a feat which few have professed.
And, oh, the boys…
Be sure you bring them home so that they see me,
I let them know that I am a giant,
And that they should fear hurting you for fear of me.
But as you go off away from home,
I hope that you realize how smart it is to go to college.
Life is hard on your own,
But do not fear ever asking for help,
I will always be available.
But after all those years of living,
You may find someone that you choose to love,
And that I have approved of.
And with a brief engagement,
Comes my greatest fear and greatest joy.
Your Wedding Day.
I am the stern father,
But on the inside I am crying,
They are tears of joy and of sorrow.
I feel that I have done my best,
And as you grasp my hand once again,
And we begin to dance.
And I remember all the time that has passed,
From childhood to the wedding day,
And I realize that you are the best that I could make.
Then as you fall asleep in my arms,
I am happy to be with you on your journey,
But for now sleep my baby Daughter