This Love

My dad passed this January, this is a poem to him, to thank him for my life despite difficulties. Excerpts from a longer poem. Dedicated to my father, a great supporter and champion of my words.

I remember
those waves intimidating, and
I so small, but safe,
strong in your arms.
Watching taillights disappear,
waiting to see headlights home.
Time with family
as best you could,
we understood your absence.
Precious were the times spent with you,
you were my everything,
always there for me and
the closeness of family surrounding.

Down corridors dark,
some mountains harder climbed,
peaks, valleys, waters churning, life.
Battles you both fought, but
mountains conquered,
attitudes changed.

I, just one of the crowd,
a life inclusive, but a life lived
that I be one of them.
You both gave me that life,
different, but
guided by love?

No stone left unturned,
no laneway not searched,
no possibility not tried
to bring me comfort,
participation, inclusion.
Walking frames, a billy-cart,
the donkey, horses, motorbikes.
a car, a licence,
a life to live, and
you were always there,
the next step.

I'd see you sleeping in your chair, and
wonder at the stength of you;
your Big Bear heart.
You called me Cob,
I called you Big Cob.
You waited up till
I'd come home
We saw each other
through difficult times.
So much time;
the richness of being together,
the depth of understanding.

There's not a situation
we'd not been through,
we had our moments,
a growing, a knowing, but
for 61 summers, our closeness.
I remember
the comfort of you knowing
my situation at the time,
whatever I was going through,
the comfort in that!

You holidayed me well,
chances never had, but
opportunities given.
The good times, fun times.
smiles and laughter.

Your love, commitment and strength,
of family to where I am.
Your dedication to family,
your focus, tirelessness
to get the job done.

These are days to remember.

Thank you for the time we had,
so many things we did together,
yet time was never enough.
Thank you for the love, courage,
your dedication that you
watched out for me.
This love to have you around
This love, your strength in me
for the years ahead

I won't forget my roots
through which you gave me start,
step by step, down every path,
moving forward.
I pass your photo everyday,
a pride, a peace.
Your presence in my everyday.
I talk you into my life.

My everyday is you,
you are the strength of me.
The strength of years, but
so much contained
I am because you are.

Live strong, live proud,
Iive for him,
remember.

r.m. 2026

Reviews

[ETERNITY]

What a wonderful tribute to the great memory of a loving dad. You have so many vivid memories of your times with him. It's easy to see your emotional bond: "Watching taillights disappear,
waiting to see headlights home."
Watching for those lights not always a good feeling.
Beautiful writing.

[Chris Shaw]

Dear Richard, I am so sorry to hear of the death of your father. So supportive of you in the difficulties caused as a result of your disability. He was your rock, that is evident by the tribute you have written. Heartfelt my friend. Take good care of yourself while you grieve.