Poetry submitted by Sarah on Monday, March 03, 2003 at 12:40PM :

I am the daughter of a man
My children called their Puppy Ham.
He shared his laughter and his tears
But only lived for 58 years.

He taught me many things in life;
He gave me away when I became a wife.
He taught me how to drive a stick-shift car.
And let me go when I moved afar.

He took pride in me and who I became
Without him I will never be the same.
He was such a proud grandfather,
And I am proud to be his daughter.

He was a man who gave without thought.
And these values, to me, he taught.
I try to be a lot like my Dad.
I think, up in Heaven, he is glad.

Glad that I am surviving so well.
Glad that I got back up when I fell.
Proud that I am helping my mother.
Wishing I would reach out to my brother.

I trust he is watching me from above.
Sending me guidance, sending me love.
Looking out for me and my family,
Knowing that we will meet in eternity.

I miss him more than most people know.
But the pain is something I don’t like to show.
I miss his laughter and his smile.
I think I will miss him for a long, long while.

January 30, 2003