dance with my father

Today's marks my dad's 55th birthday. And in my lifetime, this is the 2nd year that he is celebrating it without me and my brother. He is celebrating his birthday with my mom a million miles away from us. We miss him today just as we do each day. He is my carpenter, painter, electrician, mechanic, driver, bodyguard, chaperone, chef, entertainer, atm.. He is Lizzie's lolo waoul, my husband's cool drinking buddy. He is my friend, my hero. He is my dad.. the sweetest, kindest, most reasonable, most rational, most understanding father one could ever have and I am just so lucky I got him.

I love you, dad. As a gift on your 55th birthday, let me sing this song to you:

Dance with my Father (Luther Vandross)

Back when I was a child
Before life removed all the innocence
My father would lift me high
And dance with my mother and me and then

Spin me around till I fell asleep
Then up the stairs he would carry me
And I knew for sure
I was loved

If I could get another chance
Another walk, another dance with him
I’d play a song that would never, ever end
How I’d love, love, love to dance with my father again

Ooh, ooh

When I and my mother would disagree
To get my way I would run from her to him
He’d make me laugh just to comfort me, yeah, yeah
Then finally make me do just what my mama said

Later that night when I was asleep
He left a dollar under my sheet
Never dreamed that he
Would be gone from me

If I could steal one final glance
One final step, one final dance with him
I’d play a song that would never, ever end
‘Cause I’d love, love, love to dance with my father again

Sometimes I’d listen outside her door
And I’d hear her, mama cryin’ for him
I pray for her even more than me
I pray for her even more than me

I know I’m prayin’ for much too much
But could You send back the only man she loved
I know You don’t do it usually
But Lord, she’s dyin’ to dance with my father again
Every night I fall asleep And this is all I ever dream