You asked me to the movies
Shared your raspberry Icee
Asked if I wanted some of your popcorn
All these things you’ve never done before
You move to sit a little bit closer
I’m wishing this movie wasn’t over
It’s so hard to smile when it’s done
Fighting the tears about to come
You may never say the words out loud
But you might miss having me around
Saying goodbye to your friends
As your new lives begin
And I know this because I was there too
Caught between two worlds that are pulling you
I know the last few years have been tough
Remember you are loved, you are enough
Listen, because it’s so easy for me to see
You are a better human than I’ll ever be
Smart , beautiful inside and out, and confident
And out of all the people on this continent
You need to take care of you, ask for help
It’s okay to not be okay, take care of yourself
I will always be here, one call away
Call, text, Snapchat, anytime night or day
I know if you read this you’ll say it isn’t true
It’s okay, because I was once in your shoes
So go out into this world and make your mark
You’ve been given wings, time to fly, time to start
Don’t be afraid to fail
Take care of your mental health
No matter where you are I’ll be in the stands
Because, my daughter, I’ll always be your biggest fan
Looking through your windshield
While looking in your rear view
Letting you go is hard for me
But I know it’s hard for you too
This Is Not Goodbye by Sidewalk Prophets-
Biggest Fan by In Paradise –
These Are The Days by Cory Asbury –
They Grow Up Too Fast by Jimmy Charles –
From the time she could talk she was full of questions. And I, of course, was full of answers.
Why this, why that, where, when and who?
But as children often do, my daughter grew and grew and her questions became more elaborate.
Where are we going dad?
Nowhere.
Dad, what will we do when we get to nowhere?
Nothing, absolutely nothing.
Yeah, dad, I love going to nowhere with you and doing absolutely nothing. But I wonder, if we go nowhere and do nothing, does that make me a nobody?
Her questions were very deep so I thought for a second and told her she would never be a nobody. She is loved and cherished and will always be a somebody to me.
If I keep going south will I eventually be north?
As children often do, she grew and grew and her questions became more challenging.
Dad, if we get lost going to nowhere, will we end up somewhere? And when we get to somewhere, will we do something? But I wonder, if we go somewhere and do something, will I then be somebody?
Dad, can we get from here to there without going anywhere? And if we find anywhere, can we go there anytime? But I wonder, if we go anywhere anytime will I still be anybody to you?
If I ever find myself stuck between here and there and can’t find my way to you, will you come looking for me?
I couldn’t understand why her thoughts were taking her to these places but the only thing I could do was put my arms around her and reassure her no matter where she is or what time it is or what I am doing, I will always come and find her when she needed me.
But if I don’t tell you I need you, how will you know?
I will always pray that I will know but if for some reason I don’t know, I know a father who loves you more than even I do who will always be there for you even if I, for some inexplicable reason, get lost and am a little late in getting there.
Thanks dad, but what if I meant to go nowhere but ended up somewhere doing everything I know I shouldn’t do, would you still love me then? Would you go everywhere and do something, anything, to bring me back to someplace where you always are?
Not a doubt in mind that I would go everywhere and do something, anything, anytime to bring you back to nowhere so we could do nothing.
If the sun sets in the west will it always be dark the more west I go?
Just remember, dear daughter, no matter how many steps you take into the darkness, it only takes one to turn around and see the light.
If I’m doing nothing am I really doing something and can I be doing something but actually be doing nothing?
As children often do, my daughter grew and grew. As she grew it was my arms that became empty, as she no longer wanted me to hold her and it was my heart that shattered to pieces, as it seemed she longer wanted it to beat for her.
I would knock on her door and ask, “Would you like to go nowhere today and do nothing?” To which she would just sigh and say “Dad, I’m not a little girl anymore.”
I would give her some time and distance and then I would knock on her door and ask, “Would you like to go somewhere sometime today and do something?”
To which she would reply, “Dad, I’m busy doing other things today.”
But I could tell something was going on, but I didn’t want to seem pushy, but I knew she needed me.
I gave her more time and more distance, even though it was killing me to see her so sad.
One day I knocked on her door and said, “My daughter, when you find yourself nowhere doing nothing and wanting to go somewhere to be somebody but you can’t seem to go anywhere any of the time remember I love you everywhere every second of every day simply because you are you and that’s enough.”
She gave me a sad smile and a thanks dad.
Then I heard a voice telling me time and distance isn’t what she needs, she needs closeness and love even though it isn’t what she says.
I went and I knocked on her door and she was crying. I sat beside her and wrapped my arms around her and let her cry. After a few minutes and a very wet shirt later, she calmed down and looked up at me and I looked into those beautiful brown eyes as she asked me a question I had been wanting to hear for so long.
“Dad, do you think we could go nowhere?”
I smiled and asked, “Daughter, what will we do when we get there?”
Then she smiled back and said, “I was thinking we would do nothing dad, absolutely nothing.”
“Daughter, there is no place I would rather be than nowhere doing absolutely nothing with you.”
As children often do, my daughter grew and grew.
I’m Standing With You By by Chrissy Metz-
Like Your Father Does by Rhett Walker Band-
Pray With You by Mallary Hope-
I’ll Wait by The Strumbellas-
Have To Stay by Dido –
Shed A Tear by Kodaline-
Like Arrows by Matt Hammitt-
Short Are The Years by Jason Crabb –
More Than Gonna Make It by Alisa Turner-
Fighting For Me by Riley Clemmons-
In The Morning by JJ Heller –
As I sat on the tailgate of my daughters truck with her last night, a lot of emotions surfaced. How did this amazing young lady sitting beside me , a senior in high school, get this old, how did I get this old? How did she go from being Super Why, a werewolf, a zombie cowboy and all the others to studying psychology while we are handing out candy ?
How did we go from dressing up and walking the neighborhood trick or treating to sitting on the back of a tailgate handing out candy to other kids that their parents think they have all the time in the world?
They don’t.
You blink and it’s gone. You go from first steps and first words and first trick or treats to probably her last Halloween at home. And soon it’ll be her last Thanksgiving and last Christmas and her last year of school that I get to see her everyday.
First day of kindergarten to first day of Senior Year, first race to last cross country race, first concerts to hopefully not last concerts but I am sure friends will replace me, first game at Wrigley Field to, well we do have one more summer before college and hopefully some summers in between college years, first College Game Day at Ohio Stadium to, well there is a big game coming up in a few weeks so maybe College Game Day will be there and we will have one more.
Her first college acceptance official letter came today. The email came a few days ago. Another email came today accepting her to another school. And I’m sure in the next few days or weeks, or blinks of an eye, she will get accepted to the other three or four she’s applied to. It’s nice to have choices.
But we almost know for sure where she will go. Far enough away to not see her often but close enough where she can still come back home on a weekend, if she wants too.
But more than likely she won’t be coming home to the same house she left, the house she grew up in.
A lot of changes are coming our way. Some good, some not so good. Some happy, some sad.
But like a book, life has its beginnings and its different chapters that somehow all come together to make a wonderful story. And as all stories end, new beginnings begin.
But for now there’s still a few more chapters to read in this book. Then it’ll go up on the shelf of memories and another book will be opened up.
I really have enjoyed being the dad in this book. I am thankful.
From the time she could talk she was full of questions. And I, of course, was full of answers.
Why this, why that, where, when and who?
But as children often do, my daughter grew and grew and her questions became more elaborate.
Where are we going dad?
Nowhere.
Dad, what will we do when we get to nowhere?
Nothing, absolutely nothing.
Yeah, dad, I love going to nowhere with you and doing absolutely nothing. But I wonder, if we go nowhere and do nothing, does that make me a nobody?
Her questions were very deep so I thought for a second and told her she would never be a nobody. She is loved and cherished and will always be a somebody to me.
If I keep going south will I eventually be north?
As children often do, she grew and grew and her questions became more challenging.
Dad, if we get lost going to nowhere, will we end up somewhere? And when we get to somewhere, will we do something? But I wonder, if we go somewhere and do something, will I then be somebody?
Dad, can we get from here to there without going anywhere? And if we find anywhere, can we go there anytime? But I wonder, if we go anywhere anytime will I still be anybody to you?
If I ever find myself stuck between here and there and can’t find my way to you, will you come looking for me?
I couldn’t understand why her thoughts were taking her to these places but the only thing I could do was put my arms around her and reassure her no matter where she is or what time it is or what I am doing, I will always come and find her when she needed me.
But if I don’t tell you I need you, how will you know?
I will always pray that I will know but if for some reason I don’t know, I know a father who loves you more than even I do who will always be there for you even if I, for some inexplicable reason, get lost and am a little late in getting there.
Thanks dad, but what if I meant to go nowhere but ended up somewhere doing everything I know I shouldn’t do, would you still love me then? Would you go everywhere and do something, anything, to bring me back to someplace where you always are?
Not a doubt in mind that I would go everywhere and do something, anything, anytime to bring you back to nowhere so we could do nothing.
If the sun sets in the west will it always be dark the more west I go?
Just remember, dear daughter, no matter how many steps you take into the darkness, it only takes one to turn around and see the light.
If I’m doing nothing am I really doing something and can I be doing something but actually be doing nothing?
As children often do, my daughter grew and grew. As she grew it was my arms that became empty, as she no longer wanted me to hold her and it was my heart that shattered to pieces, as it seemed she longer wanted it to beat for her.
I would knock on her door and ask, “Would you like to go nowhere today and do nothing?” To which she would just sigh and say “Dad, I’m not a little girl anymore.”
I would give her some time and distance and then I would knock on her door and ask, “Would you like to go somewhere sometime today and do something?”
To which she would reply, “Dad, I’m busy doing other things today.”
But I could tell something was going on, but I didn’t want to seem pushy, but I knew she needed me.
I gave her more time and more distance, even though it was killing me to see her so sad.
One day I knocked on her door and said, “My daughter, when you find yourself nowhere doing nothing and wanting to go somewhere to be somebody but you can’t seem to go anywhere any of the time remember I love you everywhere every second of every day simply because you are you and that’s enough.”
She gave me a sad smile and a thanks dad.
Then I heard a voice telling me time and distance isn’t what she needs, she needs closeness and love even though it isn’t what she says.
I went and I knocked on her door and she was crying. I sat beside her and wrapped my arms around her and let her cry. After a few minutes and a very wet shirt later, she calmed down and looked up at me and I looked into those beautiful brown eyes as she asked me a question I had been wanting to hear for so long.
“Dad, do you think we could go nowhere?”
I smiled and asked, “Daughter, what will we do when we get there?”
Then she smiled back and said, “I was thinking we would do nothing dad, absolutely nothing.”
“Daughter, there is no place I would rather be than nowhere doing absolutely nothing with you.”
As children often do, my daughter grew and grew.
I’m Standing With You By by Chrissy Metz-
Like Your Father Does by Rhett Walker Band-
Pray With You by Mallary Hope-
I’ll Wait by The Strumbellas-
Have To Stay by Dido –
Shed A Tear by Kodaline-
Like Arrows by Matt Hammitt-
Short Are The Years by Jason Crabb –
More Than Gonna Make It by Alisa Turner-
Fighting For Me by Riley Clemmons-
In The Morning by JJ Heller –
Before the last six months, I could’ve told my children been there, done that for everything they go through. I can not say that anymore. With the school closings, sports cancelled, not hanging out with large groups of friends, riots, protests, etc, I can not say I know what they are feeling deep inside. I can let them know they are loved and I am and always will be there for them which is where this poem comes from.
Lots of songs at the end, maybe you can find one or two to share with your children just to let them know you are there no matter what.
I’m Cheering For You
Standing on the sidelines, holding back the tears
Didn’t win it all, but at least you had next year
At least that’s what we all thought
But you didn’t know that was your last shot
There won’t be any more locker room celebration
I see your anger and your frustration
You were looking forward to a new season
The hits keep coming and you’re taking a beatin’
I want you to know even with no one cheering from the stands
I am here, cheering for you, and I am your biggest fan
It breaks my heart to see yours breaking
All the memories you should be making
But you sit in your room, staring out the window
Feeling like your entire life is in limbo
Please listen to what I have to say
Do not let these times take your joy away
Do not let them leave a permanent scar
These times do not define who you are
I’m here to listen, to talk
Sit by your side or take a walk
I can give you a hug or just hold your hand
I am here, cheering for you, and I am your biggest fan
Don’t let your story be ruined by this chapter
It won’t be long until hallways are filled with laughter
And you can hang out with all your friends
Things will be back to normal again
And all this will be a distant memory
But until then, whenever you need me
I will be here, holding out my hand
I am cheering for you and I am your biggest fan
Ain’t Gonna Give Up by Blue Water Highway-
You Are Loved by Josh Lovelace-
Always Love You by Tyrone Wells –
Be Here For You by Sam Tinnesz-
“Til The Blue by Steven Curtis Chapman-
Forever On Your Side by NeedToBreathe-
Carry On by Young Rising Sons –
Carry You by Ruelle (feat. Fleurie) –
Pray With You by Mallary Hope-
Don’t Ever Let Em by Fitz & The Tantrums-
You Got This by Love & The Outcome –
I See You by Missio –
I’ll Carry You Home by Trisha Yearwood-
I’m Standing With You by Chrissy Metz-
Break down the walls
Keep your head high in the halls
It’s the finish, not the start
Always run with your heart
Take your time, go slow
He will never be called a ho
Always be honest, never lie
If that boy makes you cry
Don’t answer when he calls
Break down those walls
Life isn’t always easy
Raising a family is a lot of responsibility
Children can bring you joy
Make sure that man isn’t a boy
It takes a village to raise them
Make mistakes but don’t make them again
Setbacks and failures make you strong
Admit the truth when you are wrong
When the city streets get cold
Take a drive out on a backroad
Always be your self
Don’t be afraid to ask for help
Sit down with a good book
Learn to cook
Do your own laundry
Life isn’t always easy
When you are losing your mind
Remember to always be kind
Everyone is fighting their own war
I love you but God loves you more
Climb a mountain, swim in the ocean
Rest, but get back in motion
Drive through the fly over states
Life is short, don’t wait
When you need something to believe in
Remember that you are loved and forgiven
Learn how to forgive
It is then you can truly live
There are people who suffer
Don’t make their life tougher
Always reach out with a helping hand
Against the wrongs, take a stand
When you think you’ve given it all
Give a little more and break down the walls
Smile more, worry less
Always do your best
Write poetry, sing out loud
Be humble but be proud
Slow down, take a deep breath
Smell the roses, it’s okay to rest
Watch the sunrise at dawn
Call your parents before their gone
Watch the beauty of a sunset
Give more when you have nothing left
Watch the colors change on the leaves
Always follow your dreams
Go outside on a sunny day
Be like a child and dance in the rain
Put your phone down and look around
There are wonderful things to be found
Don’t be afraid of the quiet
Protect the climate
Plant a tree
Live free
Don’t do drugs
Give more hugs
You don’t have to be a star to shine
Don’t follow, lead the line
Always do what’s right
In the darkness, you can be the light
Fall slowly, love deep
Your promises always keep
Don’t run before you crawl
Fight to get up when you fall
You’ll learn the most when you fail
Keep on running if you’re going through hell
When you lost your way
Keep your faith
Always have hope
I am here I hope you know
Learn to hit a curve-ball
Toss a pigskin in the fall
Don’t give in to peer pressure
Remember that you are a treasure
Be vulnerable, be strong
Problems never last long
Get on your knees and pray
Again, call your parents before it’s too late
Live a life with no regrets
You are loved, never forget
When it’s my time to go, let me go
Promise to keep the memories though
Always laugh, always love
Always hope, always trust
Listen for God’s call
And break down the walls
What Will You Tell Her by Mickey Guyton-
Becoming Me by Matthew West –
Paving The Runway by JJ Heller-
Dear Me by Nichole Nordeman-
Hang In The Girl by Ashley McBride-
Dear Daughter by Halestorm-
Worthy by Indie.Arie-
Broken & Beautiful by Kelly Clarkson-
Girl In The Mirror by Bebe Rexha-
Future Me by Echosmith –
Impossible is Possible by Black Violin –
Homecoming Queen by Kelsea Ballerini-
Stronger by Fearless Soul-
Be The Change You Wisht To See by Fearless Soul-
I wrote this one awhile ago, thought I would repost it in case the last one was too dark for you.
She calls me Pops
And I call her Dots
I say I love you lots
She just smiles and walks away
One of those games she likes to play
But I know she loves me, even if she doesn’t say
We were close through the early years
Over football we bonded through the cheers
When we lost, we even shared a few tears
Two peas in a pod, we were thick as thieves
At night I would be on my knees
Praying to God don’t let her change, please
But now she says this is what teenagers do, we rebel
I say, ” But you are not a teenager, you are only twelve.”
Then she does an uugggh or some kind of tribal yell
But I know this time is only temporary
Because I’ve been through it before, her sisters and me
So I let it go and wait for the time when she will see
That good old pops was smarter than she thinks
And not everything I do really stinks
Because it will be over before she blinks
Then one day on her wedding day
I will be the one who gives my dots away
We’ll be on the dance floor when the music starts to play
She’ll look at me and say “hello pops”
And I’ll smile at her and say “hello dots”
Maybe, just maybe, she will say I love you lots
Short Are The Years by Jason Crabb-
Slow Down by Nichole Nordeman-
Fast by Luke Bryan –
My Last Breath by Black Stone Cherry-
Female by Keith Urban –
Woman, Amen by Dierks Bentley –
Gracie by Ben Folds-
From the time she could talk she was full of questions. And I, of course, was full of answers.
Why this, why that, where, when and who?
But as children often do, my daughter grew and grew and her questions became more elaborate.
Where are we going dad?
Nowhere.
Dad, what will we do when we get to nowhere?
Nothing, absolutely nothing.
Yeah, dad, I love going to nowhere with you and doing absolutely nothing. But I wonder, if we go nowhere and do nothing, does that make me a nobody?
Her questions were very deep so I thought for a second and told her she would never be a nobody. She is loved and cherished and will always be a somebody to me.
If I keep going south will I eventually be north?
As children often do, she grew and grew and her questions became more challenging.
Dad, if we get lost going to nowhere, will we end up somewhere? And when we get to somewhere, will we do something? But I wonder, if we go somewhere and do something, will I then be somebody?
Dad, can we get from here to there without going anywhere? And if we find anywhere, can we go there anytime? But I wonder, if we go anywhere anytime will I still be anybody to you?
If I ever find myself stuck between here and there and can’t find my way to you, will you come looking for me?
I couldn’t understand why her thoughts were taking her to these places but the only thing I could do was put my arms around her and reassure her no matter where she is or what time it is or what I am doing, I will always come and find her when she needed me.
But if I don’t tell you I need you, how will you know?
I will always pray that I will know but if for some reason I don’t know, I know a father who loves you more than even I do who will always be there for you even if I, for some inexplicable reason, get lost and am a little late in getting there.
Thanks dad, but what if I meant to go nowhere but ended up somewhere doing everything I know I shouldn’t do, would you still love me then? Would you go everywhere and do something, anything, to bring me back to someplace where you always are?
Not a doubt in mind that I would go everywhere and do something, anything, anytime to bring you back to nowhere so we could do nothing.
If the sun sets in the west will it always be dark the more west I go?
Just remember, dear daughter, no matter how many steps you take into the darkness, it only takes one to turn around and see the light.
If I’m doing nothing am I really doing something and can I be doing something but actually be doing nothing?
As children often do, my daughter grew and grew. As she grew it was my arms that became empty, as she no longer wanted me to hold her and it was my heart that shattered to pieces, as it seemed she longer wanted it to beat for her.
I would knock on her door and ask, “Would you like to go nowhere today and do nothing?” To which she would just sigh and say “Dad, I’m not a little girl anymore.”
I would give her some time and distance and then I would knock on her door and ask, “Would you like to go somewhere sometime today and do something?”
To which she would reply, “Dad, I’m busy doing other things today.”
But I could tell something was going on, but I didn’t want to seem pushy, but I knew she needed me.
I gave her more time and more distance, even though it was killing me to see her so sad.
One day I knocked on her door and said, “My daughter, when you find yourself nowhere doing nothing and wanting to go somewhere to be somebody but you can’t seem to go anywhere any of the time remember I love you everywhere every second of every day simply because you are you and that’s enough.”
She gave me a sad smile and a thanks dad.
Then I heard a voice telling me time and distance isn’t what she needs, she needs closeness and love even though it isn’t what she says.
I went and I knocked on her door and she was crying. I sat beside her and wrapped my arms around her and let her cry. After a few minutes and a very wet shirt later, she calmed down and looked up at me and I looked into those beautiful brown eyes as she asked me a question I had been wanting to hear for so long.
“Dad, do you think we could go nowhere?”
I smiled and asked, “Daughter, what will we do when we get there?”
Then she smiled back and said, “I was thinking we would do nothing dad, absolutely nothing.”
“Daughter, there is no place I would rather be than nowhere doing absolutely nothing with you.”
As children often do, my daughter grew and grew.
I’m Standing With You By by Chrissy Metz-
Like Your Father Does by Rhett Walker Band-
Pray With You by Mallary Hope-
I’ll Wait by The Strumbellas-
Have To Stay by Dido –
Shed A Tear by Kodaline-
Like Arrows by Matt Hammitt-
Short Are The Years by Jason Crabb –
More Than Gonna Make It by Alisa Turner-
Fighting For Me by Riley Clemmons-
In The Morning by JJ Heller –
My God, My Music, My Life 