for Sarah D'Amico
He carried her around the house,
from window to window,
pointing out things to view.
And with a small,
three-year-old finger,
Sarah pointed too.
And repeated the words she
heard from her daddy:
"tree, flower, bird".
At age five he carried her
into the family canoe on the Flat River;
counting turtles on the rocks and logs.
He ran beside her at seven,
as she wavered and learned
to ride a two-wheeler.
He picked her up in high school
when she was exhausted from
track and cross-country practice.
He brought her to college;
University of Michigan,
and praised her for good grades.
And brought her home, age twenty,
that tragic November,
when her only brother died.
He said, "Goodbye, I'll miss you,"
when she left home to explore her life;
Hawaii, California, Utah, Colorado.
He applauded her guitar music,
as she wrote her own songs
and shared her smooth voice.
He carried her in his prayers
every time he thought of her
making a positive impact in the world.
His eyes teared each time he read her
sweet notes in homemade Father's Day cards,
always ending with:
"I Love You Daddy!"
© 2022 Richard Havenga
Photo Location: Platte River - Honor, Michigan
