Poem from Grace

Below is a poem given to me by my eldest daughter for my birthday last Sunday. I was deeply touched by her gesture...

Sometimes I wish you’re like other dads
The kind who’ll let me do whatever I want
The kind who won’t care even if I’m bad
And who’ll never get mad with my crazy stunts

But when I stopped to think about this wish
I realized that it won’t do any good
My life would be a big pile of rubbish
And I would grow up to be a spoiled dude

I would rather have you than any other
I won’t exchange you for anyone in the world
Sure, other girls have really rich fathers
They’re free to say things that are absurd

But money can’t replace the love you’ve given me
It will never replace the things I’ve learned
‘Cause you disciplined me and made me see
That jokes can hurt even when they’re funny

Sorry if sometimes I still can’t wait
And when there are things that I can’t say
But today that you’re turning thirty eight
I just want to greet you a happy birthday

P.S.

The picture of Grace and I above was taken in year 1998 at a Superferry boat, when we attended the CC Pastors & Workers Conference in Dumaguete City. I remembered some of our special moments during that trip:

... we used to call her Ging-Ging then but she was called "Inday" by some kids who befriended her during the travel. She would run around and at one point, we thought she was lost but we later found her eating with her new playmates. Matakaw na siya noon pa man.

... I bought an ice cream for the two of us and we went up the roof deck. I enjoyed the breeze and the sceneries but "Inday" enjoyed the cold dessert, all of it for herself. Ang dungis ng mukha niya pagkatapos.

... We toured the boat - the cabins, the canteen, the swimming pool, and the shops. We have even gone to the compartments of the crew, which was restricted. Hanggang sa nagkaligaw-ligaw kami.

Sigh (deep but happy one). I delight seeing how she has grown now. Thank you, Lord.