With Eyes Open Wide

Dear Dad,

You called my sister Pumpkin and me Princess.

I saw you through the eyes of a child,

but soon outgrew my childish innocence.

I grew up too soon with eyes open wide.

Feeling overwhelmed from drama at home

left me with nowhere to hide.

A memory still fresh in my mind,

when I said, “I hate you” and wanted you to go.

Peace was so difficult to find.

Years passed by without connection.

Then I let you in to my life again,

but there remained your rejection.

I regret to this day not letting you back in,

to walk me down the aisle on my wedding day.

I was still wrapped up in irreconciliation.

I am thankful for reconnecting again,

through phone calls on holidays and special days.

Yet that wasn’t enough to erase the pain.

I was sad when I heard you got sick,

and felt worse when lack of money kept me away.

The clock continued to tick, and tick, and tick.

You are now gone far away.

I hope you made the decision to accept the cross

And one day in Heaven I’ll see you, I pray.