My Daughter
By Michael Squires
Today I held her in my arms for the first time as her father;
And heaven still gleamed in the eyes of my new-born baby daughter.
I couldn’t be sure how I’d provide for her, as my weaknesses I reviewed;
Then I drew her near and whispered in her ear, these words of gratitude:
I’m grateful that your mother and I joined hands across the altar,
And bonded for eternity through a covenant with the Father.
These promised blessings will be ours if we’re strong and do not falter,
Thankfully, you will always be, for eternity, my daughter.
Today I held her in my arms, and carried her into the water,
And tried to calm the very real fears of a delicate eight-year-old daughter.
What could I say on her baptism day? What counsel could I include?
Then I drew her near and whispered in her ear, these words of gratitude:
I’m grateful that your mother and I joined hands across the altar,
And bonded for eternity through a covenant with the Father.
These promised blessings will be ours if we’re strong and do not falter,
Thankfully, you will always be, for eternity, my daughter.
Today I held her in my arms as a witness by the altar,
Where a fine young man claimed the hand of my dressed-in-white dear daughter.
Standing there, I was unprepared for the feelings that ensued.
Then I drew her near and whispered in her ear, these words of gratitude:
I’m grateful that you chose to join hands across the altar,
And bonded for eternity through a covenant with the Father.
These promised blessings will be yours if you’re strong and do not falter,
Thankfully, you will always be, for eternity, my daughter.
I know that I will always be so grateful for eternity
that I’ve been blessed to be… your father.
