Daddy's Day

***NOTE ABOUT THIS POEM***

The changes in this poem have been approved by Cheryl Costello-Forshey, the author, in honor and memory of my daughter-in-law, Laurie Anne Stewart.  Thank you, Cheryl...from the bottom of my heart!

Please read the information below very carefully.

"Daddy's Day" was first published in the year 2000 in the book "Chicken Soup for the Parent's Soul".  It was later published in the earlier part of 2001 in the book "Stories for a Teen's Heart 2". 

This version of the poem and/or the original version cannot be copied or reproduced in any form without the written consent of the author.   This means you cannot copy even this version of Cheryl's poem.  This has been done with her approval for this site only.  So, you cannot copy it without Cheryl's express permission.             

Her hair up in a pony tail, her favorite dress tied with a bow, 
Today was Mother's Day at school, and she couldn't wait to go.
But her daddy tried to tell her, that she probably should stay at home. 
Why, the kids might not understand, if she went to school alone. 

But she was not afraid; she knew just what to say, 
What to tell her classmates, on this Mother's Day. 
But still her daddy worried, for her to face this day alone. 
And, that was why once again, he tried to keep his daughter home. 

But, the little girl went to school, eager to tell them all,
About a mother she never sees...a mother who never calls. 
There were mothers all around, for everyone to meet, 
Children squirming impatiently, anxious in their seats. 
One by one the teacher called a student from the class, 
to introduce their mommy as seconds slowly passed. 

At last the teacher called her name, every child turned to stare, 
Each of them was searching for a woman who wasn't there. 
"Where's her mommy?" she heard a boy call out, 
"She probably doesn't have one," another student dared to shout. 

And, from somewhere near the back, she heard a mother say, 
"Looks like another deadbeat mom, too busy to waste her day." 
The words did not offend her, as she smiled at her friends, 
And looked back at her teacher, who told her to begin. 
And with hands behind her back, slowly she began to speak, 
And out from the mouth of a child, came words incredibly unique, 
"My Mommy couldn't be here, because she lives so far away, 
But I know she wishes she could be with me on this special day. 

And though you cannot meet her, I wanted you to know,
All about my mommy, and how much she loves me so. 
She loved to tell me stories, she taught me the true meaning of love, 
She surprised me with pink roses, and taught me about Jesus' love. 
We used to share fudge sundaes and ice cream in a cone, 
And though you cannot see her, I'm not standing all alone. 
'Cause my mommy's always with me, even though we are apart, 
I know because she told me, she'll forever be here in my heart". 

With that her little hand reached up, and lay across her chest, 
Feeling her own heartbeat, beneath her favorite dress. 
From somewhere in the crowd of moms, her daddy stood in tears, 
Proudly watching his daughter, who was wise beyond her years.
He stood up for the love of a woman no longer in his life,
Doing what was best for his daughter, doing what was right. 

When she dropped her hand back down, staring straight into the crowd, 
She finished with a voice so soft, but its message clear and loud. 
"I love my mommy very much, she's my shining star, 
If she could she'd be here but heaven's just too far. 
Sometimes when I close my eyes, it's like she never went away." 
Then she closed her eyes, and saw her there that day. 
To her daddy's amazement, he witnessed with surprise, 
A room full of mommies and children, all starting to close their eyes. 

Who knows what they saw before them, who knows what they felt inside, 
Perhaps for a second, they saw her at the little girl's side. 
"I know you're with me Mommy," to the silence she called out, 
What happened next made believers, of those once filled with doubt. 
No one in that room could explain it, for all eyes had been closed, 
But there placed on her desktop, was a beautiful fragrant pink rose.

A child was blessed, if only a moment, by the love of her shining bright star. 
And, given the gift of believing that heaven is never too FAR....

~©2000 Cheryl Costello-Forshey~

This page is dedicated to my grandchildren, Cidni Raine, Cori Brooke, and Chanon Gage Stewart, in memory of their precious mother and my daughter-in-law, Laurie Anne Stewart.

Your mommy loves you so and she will always be in our hearts.  Click on Laurie's picture to visit her memorial page.

We will always love you, Laurie, and we miss you.

All Rights Reserved ©1999-2004

Our God Reigns Ministries, Janette Stewart