June 2017 – Pass Me The Valium

Dad, you were the very
First man in my life.
I’m certain I’ve caused you
A fair bit of strife.

Toddler tantrums and strops
(I now understand!)
Yet my tempers soon quelled
With a hold of your hand.

Infamous Dad jokes,
Magic and games.
Swingball rally records,
Again and again.

Sports day on the sidelines,
Cheering on, looking proud.
Where your good advice rang
Through my head clear and loud:

“It’s not about winning,
It’s about taking part.”
“You know you can do it;
No such word as can’t.”

Puberty, hormones,
And teenage-angst tears.
You judged how to calm me
And banish my fears.

And then my nights out
When I didn’t come home.
In the days before texting
And fancy smartphones.

You trusted the choices
I made would be good.
Perhaps much more
Than I ever could.

I fell well and true for
The love of my life.
And you gave me away
To become his wife.

A promotion to Grandad!
Gave you more (toddler) grief.
King of bedtime stories;
Witching hour relief.

The most positive man
That I’ve ever known.
An inspiration for sure,
With a rebellious tone.

Dad, thanks for the laughter,
The hugs and the fun.
This Father’s Day,
You are my number one x

Pass Me The Valium