For All The Times

For All The Times

(Dedicated to my children Tianna, Lakeith, Quaneeka, Jalisa and Ashantia)

By Lakeith Amir-Sharif

For all the times I missed a Christmas or a birthday gift.

For all the times you felt let down, when I just couldn't be around.

For all the times I couldn't call, or take you and your friends to the mall.

For all the times I couldn't write, or wasn't there to hug and kiss you good night.

For all the times you cried, because I wasn't there by your side.

For all the times you needed to talk or maybe just you & I go for a walk.

For all the times I wasn't there, and you may of thought daddy didn't care

To compliment you on your grades or the things in school that you made;

To say good-bye as you left for school, thinking that your dad was really cool;

To take you to the park to play, to be with there with you every night and day;

To teach you to cook and play sports like a star, or help you learn to drive the family car;

To laugh, and play and win, or lose and come back to play again:

For all the promises not kept, for all the times I know you've wept.

For all the good times we've missed, for all the things you and I both wished.

You've had to grow up all alone, daddy trying to raise you in a visiting park and over the phone.

You'll never know how much your daddy weeps, and prays to God your souls to keep.

There may be no chance for a long good-bye before the day comes for me to die,

So promise me one thing you'll always do, and that is never forget...

Daddy always loved each one of you.