Dear Father of Mine

Dear Father of Mine Dear father of mine, as I sit here tonight And see those gray hairs, which are fast turning white; Those shoulders that droop, not alone with the years, But also with Life's many burdens and fears; Those hands, rough with toil and the work you have done; Your body, grown tired with the race you have run ; And the wrinkles that deepen as day follows day And the prime of your life passes swiftly away. A mysterious feeling steals over my heart, Just making me wonder if I've done my part; If I've been a son in the things I have done As you've been a father to your thoughtless son. It sets me to thinking of all you've passed through, And I realize somewhat the debt I owe you, The value of money to pay it is slight — The world's wealth and riches could never requite. For the things you have done for these children of thine, And the lives you have given them, father of mine. We can never return all the sleep you have lost, Nor repay for the hardships that each of us cost; We cannot turn back the long years gone before, To relieve you of troubles and worries now o'er; We can only resolve to bring happiness true In the years that are coming, dear father, to you. You have hidden your worries and troubles and cares, Revealing them only to God in your prayers; You have fought with a smile full of hope and good cheer, Under which was concealed all your worry and fear. You have sacrificed all for the lives dear to you, And sometimes they'll realize what you've passed through, And then they will thank you — their all will be thine, And they'll make your life happy, dear father of mine! Now that I'm older, my father, I see Your true worth, and everything you've meant to me, And my heart overflows with love that I feel For the man whose influence o'er me has been real.

1066 IMPROVEMENT ERA When childish disputes came and you took my part, You won your way into my young, thoughtless heaii, When you made bows and arrows and slings for my play, And joined in my sport at the close of the day; When my fun was your fun in these childhood days, And you taught me the secrets of boyhood ways; When you taught me to pray and to reverence God, Through lessons you'd learned on the path you had trod My love for you grew, though it may not have shown — I was always so proud just to call you my own! Now, as, on life's journey, the speeding years roll, It seems you're becoming a part of my soul. One look of reproof from your eyes, father mine — Eyes from which virtue and true manhood shine — Can punish me more than the whip or the lash, When I've done something evil, or doubtful, or rash, And your commendation is worth more to me Than the praises and plaudits of millions could be; Your word of encouragement sends me along. With hope in my heart — in my soul a glad song. For I know you're a man pure, courageous, and true, No higher ideal could I have than you. If I can live worthy to be called your son, I shall say in the end, "Now my task is well done." If I can just feel that I've lived a pure life, That I've hidden my trouble and sadness and strife, And have loved and have served with devotion as true, I'll feel I have paid some of my debt to you. Thus far in your life you have been a success, And have found a real joy and the true happiness Which comes through the knowledge that you've done your best, Although with earth's goods you have never been blest. So I hope that the future will brighten each day, ■ And I'll do all I can to make easy your way, I'll try to live up to your teachings so true, And become as my father — a MAN, through and through! Walter M. Horne