He's All I Ever Had

Running bare foot under that old red oak tree,
With you running fast behind, chasing after me,
And our Daddies were standing there on the deck,
When you leaned in to kiss my cheek, just a peck.

And my face went red, when I ran from you,
Laughing as you caught me, under the sky so blue,
Watching the cloud shapes go by, laying in the grass,
Just as we watched our lives pass by us so fast.

And Standing here today looking at that picture,
Takes me back to the day in that big Church,
Your eyes upon me in that white wedding dress,
Saying our vows to our family and beloved guests.

A year had passed, with our first child on the way,
When you took my hand and told me that day -
That you'd be leaving, taking your place in the army,
And as tears fell from my eyes, you sat and held me.

And in your army green, I waved good-bye to you,
As the smoke billowed, and the train drove through -
That old town where we grew up, and I waited,
Letter after letter came, until one sorrowfully dated.

And as I opened it, crystal tears formed in my eyes,
"In Flanders Field is where your husband now lies,"
I read aloud when I hit that old hardwood floor on my knees,
Tears splotching the black ink as I begged God please.

And our daughter, proud and strong in her young age,
Held me in her little arms through all of my tears and rage,
But in her eyes, I saw a glimpse of you in the emerald green,
Smiling with your bright eyes, watching over her and me.

And in case you're wondering, she grew up tall and beautiful,
Just like her old man, a kind heart and wonderful soul -
But as she stands before me today, she remembers her Dad,
Walking down the aisle as I whisper, "He's all I ever had."

-Jenna Elphick
April 27, 2007