and I love you. As you grew
from diapers to torn jeans
playmates changed—
racing down the slide back of the house
to street corner chatter
girls no longer in diaper rash
but sleek figures
eye-catching
winking young ladies.
Your following dad around
until I picked you up
cuddled you
planted kisses on your cheek
now watching from afar
sizing me up
looking for flaws in my knowledge
wondering how much
I really love you
and I do much.
© Richard L. Provencher
Comments
Highhat | July 30, 2011 - 17:43
Beautiful and touching- you should show your daughter this- have you?
;)Pia
Rhiannonw | July 30, 2011 - 23:00
a nice picture of family love and adjustments.
"looking for flaws in my knowledge" – isn't there a quote about a teenager getting to be 21 and being amazed at how much his father seems to have learnt in 5 years! ie he isn't now feeling quite so superior?
Richard L. Prov... | August 2, 2011 - 14:19
Pia---I will send it to Susan shortly after posting you this 'thank-you-for-your-encouraging-message' note. Eureka, my memory is returning in greater volume, after the trauma of my stroke in 1999; and the love I knew for my children is erupting mightily each new moment. Richard LP
Richard L. Prov... | August 2, 2011 - 14:26
Rhiannonw--I really like that phrase too. It surmounts any nasty comment one sometimes wishes to utter; better not, since youngsters and oldsters learn by watching and listening. Oh, the wisdom of our growing up children. Richard LP