At age 8, your dad buys you an
ice cream. You thanked him by
dripping it all over his lap.
When you were 9 years old, he
paid for piano lessons. You
thanked him by never even
bothering to practice.
When you were 10 years old he
drove you all day, from soccer to
ballet to one birthday party after
another. You thanked him by
jumping out of the car and never
looking back.
When you were 11 years old, he
took you and your friends to the
movies. You thanked him by
asking to sit in a different row.
When you were 12 years old, he
warned you not to watch certain
TV shows. You thanked him by
waiting until he left the house.
When you were 13, he suggested
a haircut that was in fashion. You
thanked him by telling him he
had no taste.
When you were 14, he paid for a
month away at summer camp.
You thanked him by forgetting to
write a single letter.
When you were 15, he came
home from work, looking for a
hug. You thanked him by having
your bedroom door locked.
When you were 16, he taught
you
how to drive his car. You thanked
him by taking it every chance you
could.
When you were 17, he was
expecting an important call. You
thanked him by being on the
phone all night.
When you were 18, he cried at
your high school graduation. You
thanked him by staying out
partying until dawn.
When you were 19, he paid for
your college tuition, drove you to
campus carried your bags. You
thanked him by saying good-bye
outside the dorm so you
wouldn't
be embarrassed in front of your
friends.
When you were 25, he helped to
pay for your wedding, and he
told you how deep he loved you.
You thanked him by moving
halfway across the country.
When you were 50, he fell ill and
needed you to take care of him .
You thanked him by reading
about the burden parents
become to their children. And
then, one day, he quietly died.
And everything you never did
came crashing down like thunder
on YOUR HEART.