Poem for Daddy

Did you make heaven a lovelier place,
By the arrival of your smiling face?
Do you know how much we miss you back here,
On planet earth; on this spinning sphere?

Life's not the same since you left.
Those who loved you are still bereft.
We miss your wisdom and your kindness.
It's hard to put it all behind us.

You always gave so much and took so little.
Where there was love you were right in the middle.
How did you always find the time,
To teach life's lessons, one at a time?

I hope to see you again one day,
And I'm not even sure what I would say.
I guess, "Thank you" would be a good start,
To let you know what I feel in my heart.

But it's more than that - you were my rock,
A standing stone, a building block.
How on earth was I to know
That one day soon you'd have to go?

And that life would never be the same.
I recall your face, and your lovely name.
I'll never forget how you touched me inside.
You gave me hope and a sense of pride.

As the ocean is deep and the prairie is wide,
I know that from your love I cannot hide.
I know you and God are side by side now.
I'm starting to understand a little more now.

You knew from the start; you had it all planned,
That one day much later we'd understand.
You gave us your love, as much as you could.
You knew that one day it would be understood.

Now even just your memory makes my love grow,
Because deep in my heart I will always know,
That your love knew no limits; no time and space.
Your forgiveness, your mercy, your kind embrace.