As a baby you rocked me gently as I slept
When my tiny eyes opened you blew bubbles in my neck
My giggles became laughs and my laughs turned to words
You became a father as the days turned into years
We played soccer in the morning and made paper jets at night
You walked next to me as I learnt to ride my bike
I love your cooking and the times when you showed me how to bake
The way we got in trouble with mom for leaving the kitchen in a state
On my first day of school you kissed me goodbye
Suddenly you realized how quickly time really does fly
You began helping me with my homework and many of those hard questions
I hope you know you weren’t always right
But you did help me avoid a few detentions
As I reached my senior phase it seems we had more arguments
Over friends, relationships, school and prior commitments
We began our on going love hate relationship
But when I messed up, I knew you were the rock in my foundation
I gave you the silent treatment and a great loss of hair
You gave me patience, protection and a role model that I can say was there
You are a shoulder to cry on, a warm embrace, and my biggest fan
And I thank you for being my father, for being the definition of a true man
Tatyn Thuynsma
