'My Dad'

'My Dad'

I wish you could have known him

For there has never been a one

Quite like my Dad...So special

How he worked from sun to sun.

He always had a shovel

Or a hammer or a trowel

Jack-of-all the trades was he

And never wore a scowl.

He always cut our cars in half

To make himself a truck.

And fixed a flat most every day

Four tires 'up" meant luck.

He wore a funny little cap

Through sunshine and through snow

And every where dear Daddy went

That cap was sure to go.

He had a laugh that bubbled

From the tips of all his toes

Then circled 'round and drew the smiles

From all men...friends and foes...

He'd give the shirt right off his back

And once the bedroom chest

Mom got pretty mad that time

Poor Daddy should have guessed!

He'd cover up us kids at night

Afraid we might catch colds.

'Neath tons of quilts and coats

We lay Like putty in our molds!

He loved people...every age

And had a joke or two

He'd always ask my little friends..

"I can row a boat...canoe?"

Once a week he'd have a beer

My Mom would always frown

He'd put a raw egg in it too

We kids would gulp as it went down.

We three would have a conference

To see who'd ask him for a treat.

A penny each and then he'd watch.

Us run to spend it 'cross the street'.

He was the life of every party

When he jigged..his face would beam

Then he'd pretend to fall down flat

To get a laugh....his dream!

My Dad has gone to his reward.

Some thirty years ago...

Yet when I hear the Angels laugh

I know he's putting on a show.

Kesti©

1979

Dedicated to:

Alvin Theodore Anderson

July 14, 1887 - August 23, 1949