As a father you taught me to care,
As friend to taught me to be me,
As a dad you taught me to share,
As my growing image, my soul you taught to be free.
Everything in my life that has come to pass,
And everything that will ever be,
Is because of you,
And all the things that you have taught me.
The lessons never forgot,
The morals never will I let go,
The stern battles fought,
And through it all, the love shows.
My dad, my friend,
These words are the same,
And until the end,
When I hear my fathers name,
With pride in my eyes,
I will never know shame.
_______
Dedicated to my Dad