Tag: Dad

listen

listen
listen
can you hear this mother cry
her daughter is gone
such a sad sad song
she cries
it’s just all wrong

listen
listen
can you hear this daddy cry
he lost his boy
such a sad gray song
he cries
it’s just all wrong

oh great Light
have mercy now
have mercy now
mommy cries
have mercy now
have mercy now
daddy doesn’t know what to do
oh great Light
break through
oh great Light
break through

listen
listen
can you hear
the silence of the children cry
laughter gone
such a sad sad song
the silence cries

listen
listen
can you hear the heartbeat sound
you have life
so lay it down
yes lay it down
all around all around
the world is crying now

oh great Light
have mercy now
have mercy now
mommy cries
have mercy now
have mercy now
daddy doesn’t know what to do
oh great Light
break through

oh great Light
break through

father daughter dance

father daughter dance

This is not my image. It was taken this summer by Keegan Adriance, the AY-MAY-ZING photographer for my oldest daughter’s wedding (http://gentandalady.com). I shared this on my personal Facebook page, but wanted to share it with my WordPress family as well. When the pictures were sent to us this one grabbed my attention and the words below are my reflections.

we danced under the stars that night
just like my heart danced
when i first held you

and the stars were singing then
as i sang my first lullaby for you
a father, daughter dance

we have been dancing
together
ever since i held
your tiny finger in my hand

i’d rather not let you go
but it’s alright
it’s okay
it seems the time has come
time to see you dance
and shine
oneness is your song

i’ll never forget
this father daughter dance
i’ll hum with the stars
as i watch you grow
dancing with your lover

Andrea
always remember
the stars are still singing
step into the story
of the dance
He is weaving

i am still holding you
i suppose in a way
in my heart
i’ll never stop dancing
the father, daughter
dance

a father and his boys

a father and his boys

The summer here has been so kind….cool nights and warm days….usually we are just in sweltering heat in August… took a motorcycle ride and it was too cool an evening to go much further with the light jacket I was wearing, so I stopped at one of my favorite parks and caught this man just spending some time with his boys…

jones beach water tower 5

jones beach water tower 5

I had the joy of spending some time in New York with my parents this past week. My parents are elderly now and have their share of physical struggles. They still live in the house I grew up in, so it is such a wonderful gift to go “home”…..and just….love them. My oldest son came with me…so my parents were especially happy to see their oldest grandchild. We laughed, enjoyed the sights and sounds of New York City, ate my mom’s AY-MAY-ZING Puerto Rican cooking, and this homesick Mid-westerner enjoyed a walk on the boardwalk with my dad and my son. I will post a couple more shots from that day, but for now a shot of the base of the Jones Beach Water tower, which by now, I think I have officially photographed to death!  🙂

seaside

seaside

The Jones Beach Boardwalk still manages to charm after all these years. If you have been around my blog at all you know about my love for the shore, and especially, the beaches at Jones Beach and Robert Moses. When I smell the salty air, walk on the sand and boardwalk, and put my feet in the water (which I did when this was taken on a cold day in January), I am taken back to so many moments spent on these shores…..  I remember clinging to my dad, laughing and frightened all at once, while he fulfilled my request to take me out into the sea. I would hold on tighter and tighter as each Atlantic wave approached, thinking for sure we would be knocked down, but my dad just stood there…against that BIG ocean…to me he was the most powerful man in the world. To this day, in so many ways, he is.

my back story

Plaza Colon

Above, the Plaza Colon, the main plaza in the city of Mayaguez, Puerto Rico. Below, Freddy and Carmen, my parents. I recently returned from a trip to be with my dear parents in Puerto Rico. My mom’s sister is dying, and they are taking care of her. It was a bittersweet time. My parents possess a rare kind of love that is sacrificial, wholly other centered, and without measure. I included the picture above because both the beautiful character and kindness of mom and dad, and the city of Mayaguez, are a part of my back story. It was such a pleasure to take walks with my dad and hear him tell stories… it was so good to hold my mom and be reminded of her unending care… it was so amazing to sit next to my mom’s sister while she made me laugh! I am so grateful for the facets of my back story… I hope to follow my folks in giving, loving, and laughter… I hope to share the joy they have given me with my wife and family for many years to come… thank you mom and dad…

my parents