He Was There

He Was There

Things were much simpler in a different place and time,
Thoughts of my childhood still occupy my mind,

He was there to welcome me with a lullaby to croon,
That summer day in August on a Tuesday shy of noon,

Through the teething and the fevers he held me at his side,
Daddy was the first word spoken it made him beam with pride,

He was there at supper time almost any given night,
To ask the blessing of the food that God helped him provide,

Broken bones and skinned knees he knew just what to say,
Nightmares were subsided and the tears were wiped away,

He was there from first breaths to first steps guiding me along,
Words of wisdom for dates and photographer for the prom,

Saturdays would find us in a boat out on the lake,
Fishing was our pastime in which we would partake,

He was there in his recliner when I was fast asleep,
And would’t go to bed until the house was in full peace,

When I was grown and married and expecting his grandchild,
His time had come and with God he would reside,

He was there when I looked into my daughters face,
The love he showed me then reciprocates in her embrace,

Things were much simpler in a different place and time,
Thoughts of my childhood still occupy my mind.

Melinda Kay Smith
3/5/07