Hearing the first lusty cry of your babe,
Sharing in caring for the life that you made,
Tending to kissing the bruises and aches --
Some of what being a father takes.
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Working each day to provide for your own,
Zooing when you'd really rather be home,
Helping each child face the world of today,
Showing the wisdom of going God's way --
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Standing and loving when they've broken rules,
Lifting when they've learned from life's hardest school,
Saying, "Goodbye," when they've got to go,
Feeling your heart break, but knowing it's so --
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Talking long distance when you'd rather be
Fishing with them, again -- (even at three),
Watching them stand alone -- so straight and true,
Seeing that now they have no need of you --
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Stepping aside, making room for one more
(As they bring home the mates they adore),
Joy and then sorrow, the pain and the aches --
Some of what being a father takes.
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copyright © by
Joan Clifton Costner
used with permission
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