Dad

You were hard-working, gentle but stern

With a protective love I didn't have to earn

I was your only child, your little girl

My steady anchor in a spinning world

Whenever I got hurt, you'd help me stand

Brush off the dirt with a calloused hand

You'd say, "Just walk it off, you're gonna be fine,

It's too far from your heart to kill you this time."

I miss your hugs, your laughter, your smile

Your sense of humor that made life worthwhile

I miss those random video chats out of the blue

When you had something exciting to show me or do

I miss hearing "Punky," your favorite name

Without you around, it just isn't the same

You loved with your whole heart, and Daddy it's true

So much of who I am today is because of you

You'll always be my hero, my rock in this world

And I will forever be your little girl

I remember the edge of that zipline tower

I was frozen in fear, losing my power

But you gave me a shove right into the blue

Taught me to take risks and see it all through

And I'll never forget my thirty-fifth year

Walking the beach with the ocean so clear

Searching for seashells, just you and me

A beautiful memory beside the salt sea

I miss your hugs, your laughter, your smile

Your sense of humor that made life worthwhile

I miss those random video chats out of the blue

When you had something exciting to show me or do

I miss hearing "Punky," your favorite name

Without you around, it just isn't the same

You loved with your whole heart, and Daddy it's true

So much of who I am today is because of you

You'll always be my hero, my rock in this world

And I will forever be your little girl

I miss our motorcycle rides with the wind in our face

Swimming and lake cookouts, our favorite place

You raised me to be independent and strong

To know I can stand up when things all go wrong

You taught me to live life, to give it my all

To take every risk and not fear the fall

You said you will never know if you don't try

And what doesn't kill you makes you stronger inside

I love you, Daddy, with my whole heart

A bond that not even the heavens can part

I still miss your hugs, your laughter, your smile

Your sense of humor that made life worthwhile

I miss those random video chats out of the blue

When you had something exciting to show me or do

I miss hearing "Punky," your favorite name

Without you around, it just isn't the same

You loved with your whole heart, and Daddy it's true

So much of who I am today is because of you

You'll always be my hero, my rock in this world

And I will forever be your little girl

When my time finally comes, and my days here are through

I'll look for them golden gates, Jesus, and you