Not long ago I prayed a prayer
Born of desperate need
For some understanding
Beyond theology or creed
The question which I brought to God
was simple and profound
For in the trials of our past year
God seemed nowhere to be found
Still confined to the darkness
It seemed my lot to trod
I cried in genuine anguish,
"Where have you been God?"
When I finished praying
I felt somewhat renewed
And when my eyes were opened
It changed my point of view
I saw you sitting in your chair
With a baby in your lap
Reading her the sports page
As she took her afternoon nap
I saw the words, "Dad, Spidey's on!"
Bring you to her side
I saw you hold her on your lap
And hug her as she cried
I saw how hard you worked
While Mom went back to school
And played us the Lovin' Spoonful
After taking us to the pool
I saw you make Quik Shooters
And do overtime at work
And sit up nights to rub my back
Because my stomach hurt
Seeing all this and so much more
Made the answer seem quite clear
Through all the trials '95 has brought
God has been right here
The answer to that prayer I prayed
Was given long ago
When God sent me to such a loving home
With you to help me grow
So regardless of the troubles
And the awful times I've had
I would not go back and change a thing
If I would lose you as my DAD.
(Christmas, 1995)