My Dad Poem by Kimberly Hilliker

My Dad

Dear Father, please forgive me for the things I did and didn’t do-
And for only showing in fragments how much I loved you.

You were kind and gentle, but I mistook it for weakness.
To my detriment, I denied myself the depths of your sweetness.

I believed that I was the rock and that you were the sand-
But in my weakest moments, you still held out your hand.

There was strength in your silence when things would go wrong.
And, you kindly let me come back to where I began and belonged.

Though my gratitude was fleeting, you held your head high.
When I was a burden, you’d simply quietly sigh.

You only judged me a little when I made my mistakes,
And you’d turn the other cheek when I’d yell in your face.

You helped me raise my daughter and get my degree.
You put a roof over our heads for nearly free.

You kept your heart open and gave us a home,
Only to die in the street all alone.

I was helping you too is what I would boast,
But it was you who gave and loved the most.

Now, you’ve passed, and it still makes me so sad….
Only a memory-my hero, my Dad.


In Loving Memory (4/8/38-8/3/03)