In the arms of the one who raised me

In the arms of the one who raised me

I track down comfort, wellbeing, love

His harsh hands recount the story

Of a daily routine very much experienced, of difficult work, of sacrifice

Yet additionally of delicacy, of direction, of interminable help

My dad, my stone, my legend

I recollect the manner in which he would lift me high

On his shoulders, showing me the world

His profound voice would reverberate

With accounts of our predecessors, of astuteness, of confidence

I listened eagerly, absorbing each word

Realizing that his lessons would direct me

Through the strife of life's excursion

He worked vigorously to give

For our family, to give us the best

His eyes would illuminate proudly

As he watched us develop, succeed, flourish

He showed me the worth of difficult work

Of constancy, of flexibility

What's more, I convey his examples with me

Constantly

As I become older, I see him in an unexpected way

As a dad, however as a man

With his own battles, his own apprehensions, his own fantasies

I see the kinks around his eyes

From long periods of chuckling, of stress, of joy

I see the love in his look

As he watches his grandkids play

My dad, my guide, old friend

I'm appreciative consistently

For the love you have given me

For the sacrifices you have made

For the lessons you have taught

I will cherish them until the end of time

For you are the establishment

On which I assemble my life.