Experiments in Life

You know, I never really gave much thought as to what it means to be a father or what they go through as they watch their children grow-up. In my experience, fathers can be fun, but they can be stern too. I’m sure the phrase “Just wait until your father comes home” still strikes fear into many children. But really, what does it mean to be a father? Now, I am certainly not the person to answer this, seeing as I am not a father nor will I ever be one. However, a recent experience has gotten me thinking about things, specifically from a father’s point of view.

Last week, as I was on my way to work, I heard this song about a father giving his daughter away at her wedding. It gave me goosebumps just listening to it. It made me think of my dad and what he must have gone through when I got married. It was really an eye-opening moment for me. So, Dad, here is my tribute to you and fathers everywhere, courtesy of the group Heartland. (I know the song is geared toward fathers and daughters, but I think it is applicable to fathers and sons as well.)

Here is the song…

Look at the two of you dancing that way
Lost in the moment and each others face
So much in love your alone in this place
Like there’s nobody else in the world
I was enough for her not long ago
I was her number one
She told me so
And she still means the world to me
Just so you know
So be careful when you hold my girl
Time changes everything
Life must go on
And I’m not gonna stand in your way

Chorus:
But I loved her first and I held her first
And a place in my heart will always be hers
From the first breath she breathed
When she first smiled at me
I knew the love of a father runs deep
And I prayed that she’d find you someday
But it still hard to give her away
I loved her first

How could that beautiful women with you
Be the same freckle face kid that I knew
The one that I read all those fairy tales to
And tucked into bed all those nights
And I knew the first time I saw you with her
It was only a matter of time

Repeat chorus

From the first breath she breathed
When she first smiled at me
I knew the love of a father runs deep
Someday you might know what I’m going through
When a miracle smiles up at you
I loved her first

-I Loved Her First by Heartland

This song is probably just barely touching the tip of the iceburg of fatherhood. But again I ask, what does it mean to be a father? I can only speculate. Joy? Love? Hope? Pain…in the sense that one day you have to let your children go? I may not know what being a father means, but I know what my father means to me. He could never be replaced. I have been truly blessed with wonderful father in my life.

Thanks Dad, for everything

This entry was posted on Monday, July 17th, 2006 at 12:29 pm and is filed under Reflections, Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.