Who would... Who could... Know...
Before I was a Dad, I ate hot meals on time.
I had cleaned, starched clothes.
I had quiet Sundays.
Watched the game from the sideline.
Before I was a Dad,
I slept until noon.
Never worried about when and how I got home.
My hair was dark, thick, and groomed.
Before I was Dad,
I washed and waxed the car every Saturday
Never needed a shirt - felt young and strong.
Never ran over toys or tripped on a dog’s bone.
Knew all the words to my college fight song.
Before I was a Dad,
I didn't worry whether or not my tools were old.
Never thought about rusty nails,
Chemicals kept the lawn green.
The fridge kept the beer cold.
Before I was a Dad
I had never been puked on,
Spit on, Chewed on, Peed on, Pooped on.
Or ever changed a diaper.
Before I was a Dad,
I had control of myself,
My emotions, my sanity, my health, my time.
Living was easy. Life was just Fine.
Before I was a Dad,
I never felt the beat of a tiny heart against my own.
Never held a screaming child until they fell quiet, snuggled in deep,
Never experienced separation pains.
Never stayed awake all night just to watch them sleep.
Before I was a Dad,
I never laughed at silly messes,
Never knew how big my hands were,
Never understood about Jack and Jill,
Never missed bubble kisses.
Before I was a Dad,
I never stopped to look at dandelions,
Never held one in my toes.
Never acted so silly,
It caused someone to blurt milk from their nose.
Before I was a Dad,
I never felt someone else’s pain – or had a magic kiss to make it right.
Never felt the grasp of the small hand around my finger, holding tight.
Never felt so helpless.
Never cried tears of delight.
Before I was a Dad,
I never knew the joy in a toothless little grin,
Never understood how someone could laugh,
when ‘burp’ runs down their chin.
Never saw the wonder in every day of life.
Before I was a Dad,
I never knew real love,
Never knew total trust.
Never had someone to relied on me completely.
Never had a day where I discovered something new.
Never felt so needed.
Never felt so important.
Never felt so unprepared.
Before I was a Dad
I couldn’t imagine having a child.
Now I can’t image not having one.
Can’t imagine not experiencing the love,
The wonder,
The joy,
The completeness,
The heartache,
The satisfaction,
Before I was a Dad.
I didn't know I was capable of feeling so much,
Before I was a Dad.
I didn’t know I could be a Dad.
Thank you son.
