March Eighth

IF everyone had a father like mine
They would want for nothing.
He had a smile that could melt a cold heart,
He worked hard - too hard - so we could have a roof
Over our heads and clothes on our backs.
We had cow's milk he drained from the animal
Each morning and every evening too.
He took us to the beach and walked in the sand
With us, holding our hands.
He told us to behave ourselves
And we mostly did.
He told us to study hard in school
And we mostly did.
He told us to be honorable people ...
Well, didn't tell us: showed us.
That's what he did.
Today would have been his 97th birthday.
Can that be right? I don't know. I can't believe he's been gone so long.

- the blog author