Dear Dad

Dedicated to my late uncle, Willard Brownlee, and my father, Colin Murphy.

Dear Dad,
Thanks for the glove,
It fits my hand just right!
And thanks for the bike,
The training wheels came off today!
Thanks for the baseball cards,
I'll learn all the players!
But why can't you teach me to throw?
And why can't you see me ride?
Why can't you take me to a game?
Love, Your Son

Dear Dad,
My first game was today,
I hit a home run!
And I met a girl today,
I had my first kiss!
I got my report card today,
Look, all A's!
But why did you miss my game?
And why don't you like my girlfriend?
Why didn't you come meet my teacher?
Love, Your Son

Dear Dad,
I got my license today,
Thanks for the rundown car.
And I made the High School team,
Thanks for the really cheap cleats.
I made three C's this semester,
Thanks for overreacting.
But why can't I have a nice car like the other kids?
And why do I gotta wear crappy cleats?
What do you care so much about my grades?
-Your Son

Dear Dad,
I just got back to the dorm,
Man, there are a lot of parties here!
And I just checked my phone,
Sorry I missed your calls.
I just listened to your message,
I can't come back home just yet.
But why don't you want me partying?
And why do you call so often?
Why were you so sad when you dropped me off?
Love, Your Son

Dear Dad,
I just got dressed,
This tux looks great on me.
And I just saw her,
The white dress looks so good on her.
I just saw you,
My how gray your hair has gotten!
But why do I feel so nervous?
And why does she love me so?
Why did you cry at the wedding?
Love, Your Son

Dear Dad,
I just got to the hospital,
I've never heard a child so loud.
I just saw my wife,
And the baby looks just like her.
I just put him in the crib,
He's sound asleep.
But why am I so worried?
And where did all these bills come from?
Don't you think he looks just like me?
Love, Your Son

Dear Dad,
I just bought him a glove today,
But I had to fix the truck.
And he took off his training wheels,
But the roof needed patching.
He really wants to go to a baseball game,
But I have to go to a conference for work.
But why do I have so much to do?
And why does something always break?
Was it this hard for you?
Love, Your Son

Dear Dad,
His first game was today,
But the boss made me come in this Saturday.
And he met a girl today,
But he's a little young to be kissing.
He got his report card today,
He's doing so well in school.
But why is the rec league so expensive?
And did I date that young?
Why do house repairs cost so much?
Love, Your Son

Dear Dad,
He got his license today,
But he's unhappy with his car.
And he made the high school team,
But I had to buy no-name cleats.
He made poor grades this year,
And I know he can do much better.
But why doesn't he realize his is a good car?
And why aren't cheap cleats just as good?
Why doesn't he realize how much I care about him?
Love, Your Son

Dear Dad,
He just moved to college recently,
I'm afraid he's not studying so much.
And I called him a couple of times,
But I guess he's busy.
He hasn't been home in a while,
The house seems so quiet now.
Did you have to take out a second mortgage too?
And were you this proud of me?
Was the house this empty when I was gone?
Love, Your Son

Dear Dad,
He put on his tux today,
Seems like yesterday he had his first kiss.
I saw them drive off afterward,
He's so grown up now.
And I just saw you,
You looked rather tired.
But did I grow up that fast?
And was that you coughing today?
Are you feeling ok?
Love, Your Son

Dear Dad,
I just put on my tux today,
The funeral was beautiful.
And I just saw everyone leave,
They all really miss you.
I just saw you today,
You've never looked so peaceful.
But why did you sacrifice so much for me?
And did you know I've always looked up to you?
Do you know how much I love you?
Love Always, Your Son