No one on earth
Could ever replace
The one I’ve known since birth

His loving arms
Held me close
Through sickness, sorrow, and mirth

In leaving home,
And all I’ve known
I left part of me behind

I had no one
To laugh with and love
No one whose thoughts were like mine

So here was I,
A stranger in
A land stranger by far

Yet there was one
Who took my hand
And led me as a star

Lost, alone,
And scared was I
But you were brave and true

You led me back
To the straight and narrow
And I was made anew

You gave me hope
That even in darkness
The heavens were filled with light

I learned so many
Wondrous things
That my heart again took flight.

You showed me how
To keep on trying,
And to never forget to give

And when I was hurt
You dried my tears
And taught me to forgive.

I know that I
Could never begin
To replace your only son

But a father
You have become to me
Through fires, shadows, and sun

I love you as
A daughter aught
And ask God’s blessing upon you

But I cannot help
Feeling that
A part of me leaves too

I will never…
Ever forget you
Though I live a hundred years

And I’m not ashamed
At all to say
That you’re leaving shall bring tears