Tomorrow is Father's Day. A few hours ago you came over and kissed me goodnight and hurried off to bed, and for a few moments I laid the evening paper aside and listened as your mother sat on your bed beside you and heard your prayers. Somehow the lines I was reading were blurred and a lump rose up in my throat and wouldn't go away as I heard, "God bless Mother, and Daddy and"...then you named all those that you love, and knew loved you.
And now your mother is asleep in the other room, the paper is folded away, the TV set is cold and quiet, the lights are off and you're asleep...like a burglar or one of those imaginary phantoms that creep into your dreams through the darkness, I steal into your room and softly sit down on your bed beside you.
I reach down and and brush back the wisp of hair that covers your eyes that are closed in the uncluttered sleep of youth, those same locks that I complained about so bitterly yesterday because they were too long, too long for the age that I grew up in. I pull the covers up and tuck them in around you - and while I am bending down - and for once I catch you quiet and still - I kiss that sunburned cheek - and you stir and reach up with that tiny hand - that you forgot to wash, and wipe away the tear that so carelessly fell from my face to yours as I lingered a moment too long. You smile and mumble words I can't understand in your sleep. And for fear of waking you, I get up and quietly leave you to your magical land of slumber and carefully close your door behind me.
And you'll never know I was there. Tomorrow you will bring me a tie, that I gave you the money to buy, and I'll act surprised. I'll read the card that mother picked out that says how much you love me, and I'll be the proudest father in the world. For one golden moment all the disappointments, all the punishments and scoldings, all the flaws and all the failures will be forgotten and just like the day the doctor handed you to me - I'll be a king on a throne.
And - if I seem a little over appreciative or embarrass you when I insist on hugging a little too long, or wipe my eyes or get choked up when I try to say "thank you." In my mind I am re-opening another gift, the one you gave last night as I stole into your room in the darkness. I'll re-open it a thousand times as we grow older - but it will never grow old or out of style. You see, you made this father a king last night - and you didn't even know I was there.
Bobby Wood
From 50 years ago .