My Dad, My Hero
My heart is breaking, but I still find grace
My Dad, My Hero
March 6, 2007 - 11:45 pm
This man, dying in this hospital bed, is my dad. In that, there is no child more blessed than I.
And tonight, there are perhaps no children more anguished than my sister and I. In the next few hours, we're going to lose our dad.
I sit here tonight alone in the dark beside his bed, listening to the oxygen flow, listening to his shallow and staccato breath, and watching his body transform with shocking swiftness into someone I barely recognize.
My heart is breaking ... my heart is SHATTERING ... my strength is waning, my eyes hurt from all the tears. And yet I find joy in the gifts of life and love that I have been given through my parents.
More than 18,000 students would pass through dad's classroom during his 36-year tenure in the department that he created. There, he would lecture, counsel, teach, learn, and coach. Together with his partner and wife, they would raise two kids and make a faithful life of love and honor, commitment and humor.
And though he was all these things and more, to me he was simply My Dad. He was my teacher and coach, playmate and role model. He was my best friend. He was my hero.
I talk to dad in the dark in these final moments. I tell him that I love him and that we're all so proud of him. I talk to him about his life -- a life well lived. I sing to him ... Amazing Grace. I kiss him and he is gone.
I love you dad. I will miss you more than I can possibly express. Thank you for all that you have given me, all that you taught me, and for being simply the finest man I have ever known.
I will, God Willing, see you again. And I look forward to that reunion with all my heart and soul. May you rest with Him free from the pain and struggle your body gave you in the past year. May you run the bases in Heaven with all of the grace and power of your teens and twenties. May you have nothing but swishes and open lay-ups on God's hardwood. And may your Heavenly bird feeders be free of those pesky squirrels.
God Bless you, daddy.
MY DAD, MY HERO
[Verse 1]
It’s 11:45 on a Tuesday night,
The hospital hums under pale blue light,
I’m sitting here, holding your hand,
Watching time slip like shifting sand.
The air is thick with the sound of machines,
A life of fire now fading to dreams,
But I swear I still see your spark,
Fighting strong here in the dark.
[Pre-Chorus]
My heart is breaking, but I still find grace,
In every memory, in your face.
[Chorus]
You’re my dad, my hero, my steady ground,
The voice of reason, the sweetest sound.
You taught me love, you taught me fight,
You burned like a star through the longest night.
And though you’re gone, I still believe,
You’re running free where angels breathe.
My dad, my hero — you’re still with me.
[Verse 2]
Thirty-six years, chalk on your hands,
Built a world where knowledge stands,
A thousand hearts you helped to find,
A brighter fire, a sharper mind.
You and mom, side by side,
Built our home with faith and pride,
You showed me how to laugh and lead,
To plant my roots and let them bleed.
[Pre-Chorus]
I sang Amazing Grace through the tears,
Thanking you for all these years.
[Chorus]
You’re my dad, my hero, my steady ground,
The voice of reason, the sweetest sound.
You taught me love, you taught me fight,
You burned like a star through the longest night.
And though you’re gone, I still believe,
You’re running free where angels breathe.
My dad, my hero — you’re still with me.
[Bridge – Instrumental build / soft vocal]
Run those bases in heaven’s glow,
Hit every swish, let your soul let go.
Feed those birds where the light won’t fade,
You earned your peace for all you gave.
(Guitar solo)
[Final Chorus – full power]
You’re my dad, my hero, my steady ground,
Still the thunder in my sound.
You taught me love, you taught me fight,
You burned like a star through the longest night.
And when I’m gone, I hope to see,
Your face again, waiting for me.
My dad, my hero —
Forever with me.
[Outro – soft repeat]
My dad, my hero…
Forever with me.
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