Michelle Selby

Red for the blood shed in the name of freedom,
For which we fought,
United.
Blue for the oceans of time we have crossed,
Remaining the land of the free.
White for the peace we wish to share,
All men created equal.
Stars to remember those who fought throughout the night,
Bravely for our land.
Stripes to remind us of the lashings taken by the Prisoners of War.
With a seal, in God we trust
We each are one of many, in which we stand united in brotherhood.
A symbol of pride,
A salute to those who died in the fight,
A blanket to cover us in times of need,
Waving high to show we are still here, undefeated.
With honor, you are presented to the world.

You were born today
A gift from God
The blessing we waited for
Your small fingers, your tiny toes

You turned one today
You say my name, Daddy
I feel my heart melt
The cute smile on your face
You teeter totter when you walk

You turned two today
We "talk" about your favorite show
You cry when I had to leave for work
I promised to be home soon
A little kiss on my cheek, "I love you, Daddy."

You turned three today
You are so precious to me
We went out to celebrate
We were hit on the highway
The officer said something about his state
The man had been drinking, a little too much
I hold you lifeless body
A peck on your cheek, remembering, "I love you, Daddy."

You would have been four today
A tear trickles down my cheek
I remember your little voice
"Daddy, Let's play."
I kneel down, placing four roses on your grave
It hurts to remember your hugs and kisses
And the memory, "I love you, Daddy."

You would have been five today
I try not to think about it
But the emptiness won't stop
I wonder what you would have said today
Probably the sweetness of "I love you, Daddy."

The years pass by
But you are still on my mind
Still in my heart
I miss you so very much

You would have been ten today
I can imagine you on your new bike
I try to hear you laugh at my jokes
All I can think of is you
I wish I could hear "I love you, Daddy."

The years pass by
But you are still on my mind
Still in my heart
I miss you so very much

You would have been thirteen today
I see you in my mind, beautiful
Slumber parties, field trips, and friends
All the things that could have been
And, in my mind I hear "I love you, Daddy."

The years pass by
But you are still on my mind
Still in my heart
I miss you so very much

You would have been sixteen today
Sweet sixteen, dresses and curls, boyfriends
A dance together that will never happen
I pretend to see you twirl around
All you say is "I love you, Daddy."

The years pass by
But you are still on my mind
Still in my heart
I miss you so very much

You would have been eighteen today
Moving out, on your own
Living life to the fullest
A brand new life awaiting your charm
And as you leave, you say
"I love you, Daddy."

The years pass by
But you are still on my mind
Still in my heart
I miss you so very much

You would have been twenty-one today
You run to me and say, "I'm engaged."
Excited, I hug you and kiss your cheek
It would have been my turn to walk you down the aisle
As I give you away, you stop and say,
"I love you, Daddy."

I wish all these things could have been
If only you were still here
My life would mean so much more
Only if I could really hear you say,
"I love you, Daddy."