Midnight Madre

My Daddy

My daddy died yesterday. February 18, 2022. It seems so unreal. He was larger than life, a wonderful father, better than a girl could ever hope for. He taught me so many useful life skills. My only comfort is that he is no longer suffering and he is reunited with my mama in eternal glory with Jesus.

Here is a poem I wrote for him for Father's Day in 2002, and revised in 2022 to read at his funeral:

My Daddy

It doesn’t seem so long ago

When Daddy was so tall

I remember looking up at him

And feeling very small

I knew he was invincible

No harm could make its way

Near this little girl

His life for mine he'd pay

He often wiped my tears away

When neighbor kids were mean to me

Taught me his version of the golden rule

And how to have integrity

Precious are the memories

Of nature talks and forest trails

And time spent in Daddy's lap

Hearing his boyhood tales

Fishing, crabbing, camping, laughing

Our childhood was filled with fun

Along with his fatherly guidance

Not just for us but everyone

Every year at Christmastime

Daddy read how God in Heaven

Came to earth born in the flesh

The redemption of all men

My dad's a lot like Jesus

With quiet strength he took life's cross

And humble love he spent himself

Never mentioning dreams he lost

I love you daddy!

Amelia Avila 2002

Revised 2022

The original is below:

Daddy

It seems so very long ago