You left me standing alone at the airport ring in hand.
I was going to ask you to marry me but didn't ask.
Mainly because you were excited about leaving
Could not bear seeing you conflicted to stay.
You boarded the plane sadly I got in my car.
Driving to the bay I knew what I had to do.
I was angry and sad but knew what had to be done.
I threw that ring in the dark waters of the bay.

Love is never judgmental and is accepting of our short comings, ours stumblings and falls.
Always given freely and sets no terms or conditions to the one who is to be receiver of love.
Love is given willingly, unconditionally, without thought to agendas or materialistic rewards.
Sees wonderful qualities and beauty within and is never repulsed or put off by physical flaws.
Never ending, at times, but level and intensity changes with passage of circumstance and time.
It never deliberately brings forth feelings of being broken or endless depression; love is kind.
Sharing of grievances falls upon open mindedness and ears ready and set to listen and hear you.
Love never takes a pregnant pause or hesitates in acceptance of being who you were born to be.
Knowing no one born of human or other forms on this planet is perfect; include self, is love.
Love inspires random acts of kindness without thought of any form of personal benefit to self.
Realness in love makes you feel as if you can climb the highest mountains and reach it's peaks;  
forever encourages, but never seeks destruction of mutually healthy relationships and dreams.

To my beloved father who's no longer with us; I wish you were here to see me now.
I'm the little girl in a grown up body who grew up to be a woman you can be proud of.
I miss you dearly my beloved father who gets half of the credit for my being on this earth.
I've a great appreciation of your patient and learned words; I followed in your foot steps.

Feel blue at times because you left before I had the chance to tell you how much I love you.
We both know you're looking down and rooting for me as I experience parenting first hand.
I know your job wasn't easy and I understood when you said no; it was with good reason.
But that little girl in me often wishes you were still here for that occasional  heart to heart.

Miss you and always be grateful and never forget what you taught through great example.
Never "ever" saying, "Do as I say kid, but turn blind eyes away from Dad's bad actions".
I'll always be thankful for you showing me integrity in words that mirrored your actions.  
I'm grateful you allowed me to make mistakes and gently guided me with your wisdom.

From you I learned; No matter how much life pushes you to extremes, you keep fighting.
From you I learned; Love and respect of life even when faced with hate born from illogic.
From you I learned; Love self enough to set free all that damages physically & emotionally.
From you I learned; To proudly stand alone when necessary, never to cower; face my fears.
  
Though your life on this planet was cut short, what you taught will last infinite life times.  
You were the kind of dad everyone loved and admired; you brought joy by your presence.
There are so many things I vividly remember about you and shared with my own children
You worked extremely hard to provide for us and showed Nothing worthwhile is ever easy

Happy Father's Day 2013 to my beloved father and all dads every where!