I was going through some of my old poems and such and came across this. I meant to publish it on Father's Day but just now got around to it. I wrote this at least 20 years ago but still find a lot of it (if not all of it) to be true. Of course, that's my opinion.

FOR DADDIES ALL OVER THE WORLD... ESPECIALLY MINE

Father's Day is a time to celebrate fathers all over the world. It's a time to honor them and let them know that we love them and appreciate all their effort and hard work to make our world a better place in which to live.

But any male can grow up to be a father. It takes a real man to be a daddy. To some, they may ask "What is the difference?"

There is a HUGE difference.

A father can create life, but it takes a daddy to create a work of art with character, personality, and wisdom.

A father can put a roof over his little one's head, but it takes a daddy to provide the love that spreads from room to room.

A father can send his child to bed, but it takes a daddy to provide a big safe lap on which to fall asleep while watching TV.

A father can call his child by his or her given name, but it takes a daddy to endear his child with nicknames like "pumpkin", "pudding", "sweetheart", "baby doll', etc...

A father can work hard all day and come home and expect peace and quiet, but it takes a daddy to engage in various playful activities with his child such as bouncing his child on his knee, giving piggy back rides, reading or telling bedtime stories, playing board games, working puzzles together...whatever is special to them...regardless of how tired he is.

A father can extend his wallet, but it takes a daddy to extend his loving arms and embrace his child in a bear hug.

A father can buy anything for his child that he or she wants, but it takes a daddy to teach and guide and show that there are limits, rules, and boundaries.

A father can punish his child, but it takes a daddy to discipline effectively out of love and not anger and explain what the discipline is about and reassure his child that he or she is loved unconditionally. The child's behavior is why he is disappointed.

A father can pay the doctor bill when his child is sick, but it takes a daddy to stay up all night with his sick child and make him or her feel better.

A father can demand that his child makes good grades in school or else, but it takes a daddy to help his child with his or her homework and be involved in his child's school life.

A father can write out a check for his child to play sports or be involved in other extracurricular activities, but it takes a daddy to be in attendance at practices, rehearsals, and games while rooting his child on to victory.

A father can teach his child that winning is best, but it takes a daddy to teach his child that winning is great, but teamwork and doing one's best are even more important.

A father can have his child's car fixed, but it takes a daddy to take the time and patience to teach his child about cars.

A father can give his son a book to read about sex, but it takes a daddy (while flushing somewhat) to patiently explain the birds and the bees and answer any embarrassing questions his son asks.

A father can care about his child's problems as he or she experiences growing pains, but it takes a daddy to lend an ear and a shoulder on which to cry and tell his child "Spill your guts. I care what happens to you, and I'm here when you're hurting."

A father can feel sad and want to cry, but it takes a daddy to shed real tears.

A father can interfere in his child's life as he or she grows up and leaves home because he cares and is worried about his child's future, but it takes a daddy to "let go" and allow his child to make choices, make mistakes, and lead his or her own life.

A father can have an argument with his child and feel he always has to be right, but it takes a daddy to admit "I was wrong" when he is wrong.

A father can lose his temper, but it takes a daddy to say "I'm sorry."

A father can be angry and bitter with his child for a wrongdoing, but it takes a daddy to say, "I forgive you."

A father can love his child silently, but it takes a daddy to say, "I love you!"

Father's Day is a day to celebrate. I want it to be and I hope that it is well known. I'll always be your "Daddy's Girl" even though I'm up and grown and have babies of my own.

Daddy, you are the monumental figure of the word "Daddy" and all the meaning it conveys. I just hope you know you've been more to me and meant more to me than just a father. I LOVE YOU, DADDY!

Love,

Pumpkin

"Pumpkin"