Today's "Song of the Day" is a special one. You see, today is my father's 70th birthday, but unfortunately he's no longer with us to celebrate it. Dad passed away suddenly on May 6th, 2009. I tried to think of a song befitting to his honor, and this one came to mind. It's such a heartrending song, it always makes me cry anyway, but as I listen to it now I'm crying for a different reason.
My dad was a unique person. He was a dreamer, a gentle soul, misunderstood much of his life. He fathered seven children during his lifetime, 3 boys and 4 girls. The first one, Kenneth, died only three days after being born, and I was the next of the six remaining children. Though he never got along great with any of us during his lifetime, we all knew he did the very best he knew how and that he loved each and every one of us.
Dad is an angel now, spending his days with Kenneth, my two grandmothers, my grandpa, Aunt Vi, and the many others who have gone from our lives. They say we never appreciate the things we have until they're gone and that couldn't be truer. I never could have imagined what life would be like without him, and I miss him very much every day, but especially today. I wrote a special poem on this day last year that I'd like to share here, as well...though the number is different, the sentiments are the same:
Happy Birthday Dad
Sixty-nine years ago today you were born
Into a world that never quite treated you right.
Still you managed
You came here at a very young age
Moving around from place to place
With no one to guide you but your own experiences
Before you knew it,
You were a grown up father of six
The head of a family
Never really sure how to do it
Still you managed
Your inexperience took its toll
Alienating you from your family
But time heals old wounds
And those bitter memories faded to dust
As you got sick and shed your gruff exterior
You suffered for a very long time,
Never complaining, always smiling!
Still you managed
Though there were many times we thought we'd lose you
The time that we did was still a shock
They say you don't know what you've got til it's gone
And that's very true
But we're managing
You're missed more than you'll know
Your humor, your gentleness, and your naiveté
A quiet, unassuming man you'd become
Hanging back and enjoying the fruits of your labor
The happiness I feel
At our eventual reconciliation
Several good years spent
Before we lost you
It's hard to believe
It's almost a year
Since you left us
But you live on in our hearts
Dad I miss you
We all do!
Happy Birthday!
Here's the link: Happy Birthday Dad
So happy 70th birthday dad, our angel. I look forward to seeing you again someday...
Angel, by Sarah McLachlan
Spend all your time waiting
For that second chance
For a break that would make it okay
There’s always one reason
To feel not good enough
And it’s hard at the end of the day
I need some distraction
Oh beautiful release
Memory seeps from my veins
Let me be empty
And weightless and maybe
I’ll find some peace tonight
In the arms of an angel
Fly away from here
From this dark cold hotel room
And the endlessness that you fear
You are pulled from the wreckage
Of your silent reverie
You’re in the arms of the angel
May you find some comfort there
So tired of the straight line
And everywhere you turn
There’s vultures and thieves at your back
And the storm keeps on twisting
You keep on building the lie
That you make up for all that you lack
It don’t make no difference
Escaping one last time
It’s easier to believe in this sweet madness oh
This glorious sadness that brings me to my knees
In the arms of an angel
Fly away from here
From this dark cold hotel room
And the endlessness that you fear
You are pulled from the wreckage
Of your silent reverie
You’re in the arms of the angel
May you find some comfort there
You’re in the arms of the angel
May you find some comfort here
No comments:
Post a Comment