To My Dad

I watched him standing in a crowd where patrons wait to eat,

I noticed how he’d patiently let others have a seat.

I saw how he could take a broken car or house or kite,

And then not only “fix it up,” but he would fix it right.

I noticed when my chips were down and problems all I found,

Still, I could tackle anything when he would come around.

I saw him at a bragging contest somewhere in the South,

But when it came around his turn, he smiled and closed his mouth.

I saw him with a splitting axe, and wondered if he could,

But quickly learned he’d set a pace for others splitting wood.

I saw him with a digging iron, and thought, “he won’t last long.”

But as I rested, I looked up to see him going strong.

I’ve seen him take a frightened child and wipe away the tears.

Then pretty soon the child would laugh, forgetting all his fears.

The youth at church who need the praise, the sick who need a hand,

The older one who needs a ride — he seems to understand.

I’ve seen him harshly criticized, and cowardly attacked,

I’ve never seen him raise his voice or barely answer back.

I’ve seen him in the happy times and times you would call sad,

I’ve seen him with that winning smile, and yes, I’ve seen him mad.

I hope to see him more and more, ‘cause he’s my kind of man,

So Happy Father’s Day to you, my friend, from one devoted fan.

-by Robert C. Veil, Jr.