MY DADDY
When I was just a little girl,
You endeared yourself to me –
By playing games of funny names
In ceilings and things we’d see.
You bought me a trike and a teddy bear –
The fact that you were always there –
Endeared you to me.
We ice skated down to Robertson –
When everyone else just walked.
We were better friends than anyone –
Often we just talked.
We gazed at stars – looked at Mars – studied astronomy.
The earth was an orange,
The sun, a lamp, as you explained the world to me.
As a rule, I’d be late for school (still am to be perfectly true).
I doubt if I’d ever have gotten there –
If it hadn’t been for you.
There were pony rides on Sunday morn.
You held me tight the night Brother was born
You knew I felt so alone and forlorn.
You endeared yourself to me.
If it rained a day that I was at school,
I knew that I could count on you to pick me up at three.
You would often leave an important case –
To endear yourself to me.
You always attended our May Day Fete –
And always you made me proud –
Because you were so handsome and your voice as a Barker, so loud.
As I grew up, you (and Mother, too),
Encouraged me in my field,
Gave me the prize of self,
Confidence to enfold me like a shield.
You rubbed sleep from your eyes –
To see a new sketch and approvingly exclaim.
How can I ever hope to explain –
How you endeared yourself to me.
You stepped over pins and mannequins –
For years you stayed in your room.
Tho’ I wonder now, how you stood for it,
You endeared yourself to me.
I’m grateful, too, for the way that you
Get along with my chosen mate.
Maintaining a bond of friendship,
I really think is great.
I mustn’t forget the Skippy stories –
Or the way you patted me to sleep.
The love and understanding –
That you rooted so very deep.
You handed down this patience, whimsy, and fun –
To your grandchildren – my daughter and my son.
I really am a lucky girl to have this wealthy store –
Of integrity, this legacy of imagination and lore.
Some give their children everything –
That money alone can buy –
But I am so much richer –
‘cause what I have you can’t buy.
My memories are YOUR TREASURY –
Better than money in the bank –
For this life time annuity, my Daddy, I must thank.
You endeared yourself to me.
Love always,
Betty
Editor’s Note: This poem was submitted by Betty Kreisel Shubert, a renowned theatrical costume designer with credits for stage, screen, television specials, ready-to-wear, Las Vegas musicals, and Disneyland.
Betty is also a fashion historian and author-illustrator of the upcoming book, “Out of Style: How, Why and When Vintage Fashions Evolved.” Congratulations on your book, Betty, and thank you for sharing this wonderful poetic tribute to your father. He sounds like a wonderful man. You are so lucky!
