Daddies Day...

Today was Daddy\'s Day at school, >>> and she couldn\'t wait to go. >>> >>> But her mommy tried to tell her, >>> that she probably should stay home. >>> Why the kids might not understand, >>> if she went to school alone. >>> But the little girl went to school >>> eager to tell them all. >>> About a dad she never sees >>> a dad who never calls. >>> >>> There were daddies along the wall in back, >>> 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 daddy, >>> as seconds slowly passed. >>> >>> At last the teacher called her name, >>> every child turned to stare. >>> Each of them was searching, >>> a man who wasn\'t there. >>> >>> \"Where\'s her daddy at?\" >>> 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 daddy say, >>> \"Looks like another deadbeat dad, >>> too busy to waste his day.\" >>> >>> The words did not offend her, >>> as she smiled up at her Mom. >>> And looked back at her teacher, >>> who told her to go on. >>> And with hands behind her back, >>> slowly she began to speak. >>> And out from the mouth of a child, >>> came words incredibly unique. >>> >>> \"My Daddy couldn\'t be here, >>> because he lives so far away. >>> But I know he wishes he could be, >>> since this is such a special day. >>> And though you cannot meet him, >>> I wanted you to know. >>> All about my daddy, >>> and how much he loves me so. >>> >>> He loved to tell me stories >>> he taught me to ride my bike. >>> He surprised me with pink roses, >>> and taught me to fly a kite. >>> >>> We used to share fudge sundaes, >>> and ice cream in a cone. >>> And though you cannot see him. >>> I\'m not standing here alone. >>> >>> \"Cause my daddy\'s always with me, >>> even though we are apart >>> I know because he told me, >>> he\'ll forever be in my heart\" >>> >>> With that, her little hand reached up, >>> and lay across her chest. >>> Feeling her own heartbeat, >>> beneath her favorite dress. >>> >>> And from somewhere here in the crowd of dads, >>> her mother stood in tears. >>> Proudly watching her daughter, >>> who was wise beyond her years. >>> >>> For she stood up for the love >>> of a man not in her life. >>> Doing what was best for her, >>> doing what was right. >>> >>> And 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 daddy very much, >>> he\'s my shining star. >>> And if he could, he\'d be here, >>> but heaven\'s just too far >>> You see he was a policeman >>> and died just this past year >>> When airplanes hit the towers >>> and taught Americans to fear. >>> >>> But sometimes when I close my eyes, >>> it\'s like he never went away.\" >>> And then she closed her eyes, >>> and saw him there that day. >>> And to her mothers amazement, >>> she witnessed with surprise. >>> A room full of daddies and children, >>> all starting to close their eyes. >>> >>> Who knows what they saw before them, >>> who knows what they felt inside. >>> Perhaps for merely a second, >>> they saw him at her side. >>> \"I know you\'re with me Daddy,\" >>> to the silence she called out. >>> And what happened next made believers, >>> of those once filled with doubt. >>> >>> Not one in that room could explain it, >>> for each of their eyes had been closed. >>> But there on the desk beside her, >>> was a fragrant long-stemmed pink rose.