A Mercy Case

how can a son honor his father

it seems impossible so why even bother

but the truth of gratitude can only be found

through trying to count the blessings that abound

without him there would be no David standing here

neither I nor my son on this Earth would appear

so with that fact so clear we can see it is true

that every blessing that I have has flowed through you

but more than just biology you have engendered in me

there are the years spent teaching this man that you see

basketball and baseball, my father was there

leaving work early to show that he cares

striving to win but also accepting defeat

for strength and gentleness, in my father they meet

taking me to Colorado’s mountains and Kenya’s great plain

showing me the world instead of seeking more gain

he could have worked more and achieved a higher lot

but his family came first, something I never forgot

even when at Andover, or Princeton or Brown

I always knew he’d be there if I ever felt down

and when my life’s work took me places he did not know

he never stopped trying to help me grow

He taught me to do right and give it my best

but his actions spoke louder than all the rest

for I have never doubted he wants the best for me

and he has done right by us, for all to see

so on his birthday we honor our father and friend

and try to pay a little back on a debt that never will end

My father, me, and my grandfather at my high school graduation.