Daddy's
Girl

What is it about little girls and their Dads?  What creates that magic...that bond...that look in your daughter's eyes when she looks at her Dad and the love in his heart for her?

Daddy's Hands

I remember Daddy's hands folded silently in prayer,
And reaching out to hold me when I had a nightmare.
You could read quite a story in the callouses and lines.
Years of work and worry had left their mark behind.


I remember Daddy's hands,
How they held my Mama tight,
And patted my back for something I'd done right.
There are things I've forgotten
that I loved about that man,
But I'll always remember the love in Daddy's hands.

Daddy's hands, were soft and kind when I was crying.
Daddy's hands, were hard as steel when I'd done wrong.
Daddy's hands weren't always gentle,
But I've come to understand,
There was always love in Daddy's hands.

I remember Daddy's hands working till they bled,
Sacrificed unselfishly just to keep us all fed.
If I could do things over, I'd live my life again,
And never take for granted the love in Daddy's hands.

~ Holly Dunn ~

The Wonder Kid

by P�re Rob�rt

  It's tough sometimes to be a dad,
Especially when your kid is bad.
You wonder why she did what she did
-- And why she's not a wonder kid.

A wonder kid is always good.
A wonder kid does what she should.
A wonder kid is never bad.
A wonder kid makes daddies glad.

She doesn't shout, she doesn't fight,
She goes to bed on time each night.
She makes her bed, she eats her peas,
She always says, "yes, sir" and "please."

She never whines and never mopes.
She likes to bathe, and uses soap.
She chews her food, she doesn't slurp,
And when she's through she doesn't burp.

She wears her mittens when it freezes.
She's kind to pets and never teases.
She cares for toys and likes to share them.
Her clothes get cleaner as she wears them.

"Did you ever hear of such a kid?"
I asked my kid, who never did.
And then, oh boy, was I surprised
When my little girl apologized:

"I'm sorry for the thing I did.
I wish I were a wonder kid.
I wish that I could make you glad.
I love you so, my wonder Dad."

I hemmed and hawed, I coughed and sputtered,
The butterflies in my stomach fluttered.
I'd focused on her faults, but she
Had only seen the good in me.

It's tough sometimes to be a kid,
Especially when Dad blows his lid.
You wonder how he gets that way,
And why he takes so long to say:

"I love you too, I'm really glad
To know you think I'm a wonder dad,
And I wouldn't change you, not a bit --
You already are a wonder kid."

Father of the Bride

By Jennie Wheeling

The dance, a command performance
Daddy's Little Girl, the song
  yet the body held, a woman now.

The man decorated in black and white
  struggles to hide the tears
that threaten to expose themselves
  as each

      step,
               step

draws them closer
  to the turning of another page.

The teacher recalls the touch
  of weightless feet upon his own
as they

     stepped,
                stepped

to the sounds of heartbeats
  and laughter.

The father remembers sleepless
  nights, and

     steps,
               steps

that circled rooms filled
  with the whimsy of
a little girl's dreams,

          and

  the lump in his throat when
    she brought the message
      he knew would come
        from one
          
          who was a child,
            is his child,
              is a woman,
                is

                  another's bride.

"Walking"

When Daddy
Walks
With Brett and me,
We have a
Lot of fun
'Cause we can't
Walk as fast
As he,
Unless we
Skip and
Run!
I stretch,
And stretch
My legs so far,
I nearly slip
And fall-
But how
Does Daddy
Take such steps?
He doesn't stretch at all!

~Grace Glaubitz~

"Fathers and Daughters"

In his eyes, she'll always be his little princess,
the light of his life. 
In her eyes, he'll always be the brave knight
who slayed monsters in the closet,
her hero, her protector. 
As the years go by,
her attention will turn to other knights
and handsome princes. 
One will win her hand and carry her away
to another castle,
but her brave knight will always be in her heart,
a shining example of all the things a father,
and a man, should be.

~Author Unknown~

The song that you may here playing is "Butterfly Kisses" written by Bob Carlisle.  My husband excitedly asked me if I had heard the song after he had first heard it on the radio.   The next day, he brought home the CD and played it for our daughter and I to hear.   His eyes were brimming with tears.

The following are the words to the song:

"Butterfly Kisses"

There's two things I know for sure.
She was sent here from heaven,
and she's daddy's little girl.

As I drop to my knees by her bed at night,
she talks to Jesus, and I close my eyes.
And I thank God for all of the joy in my life,
But most of all, for...

Butterfly kisses after bedtime prayer.
Sticking' little white flowers all up in her hair.
"Walk beside the pony daddy, it's my first ride."
"I know the cake looks funny, daddy, but I sure tried."
Oh, with all that I've done wrong,
I must have done something right
To deserve a hug every morning,
And butterfly kisses at night.

Sweet sixteen today,
She's looking like her momma a little more every day.
One part woman, the other part girl.
To perfume and makeup, from ribbons and curls.
Trying her wings out in a great big world.
But I remember...
Butterfly kisses after bedtime prayer.
Sticking' little white flowers all up in her hair.

"You know how much I love you daddy,
But if you don't mind,
I'm only going to kiss you on the cheek this time."
With all that I've done wrong,
I must have done something right
To deserve her love every morning,
And butterfly kisses at night.

All the precious time like the wind,
the years go by precious butterfly
Spread your wings and fly

She'll change her name today.
She'll make a promise, and I'll give her away.
Standing in the bride room just staring at her,
she asked me what I'm thinking,
and I said "I'm not sure,
I just feel like I'm losing my baby girl."

Then she leaned over...and gave me...

Butterfly Kisses, with her mama there
Sticking little white flowers all up in her hair
"Walk me down the aisle daddy,
it's just about time"

"So does my wedding gown look pretty daddy?"
"Daddy don't cry"
With all that I've done wrong,
I must have done something right
To deserve her love every morning,
And butterfly kisses
I couldn't ask God for more,
man, this is what love is
I know I've gotta let her go,
but I'll always remember
Every hug in the morning, and butterfly kisses at night.

~Bob Carlisle~

The butterfly graphic was adopted from Gaby's Adoptions.

Dad's and Daughters

Thank you "Moon and Back Graphics" for the beautiful set and to Mary's Little Lamb for the Daddy-King graphic.