A Real Father

I cannot count or even list The things you’ve done for me and Everything you’ve helped me through Since my father has refused to step up to the plate And protect his little girl You stepped in when we needed you most You picked up the pieces And fixed three shattered lives Through the years… You have gave us brand new lives Where we don’t look back and feel the pain again You taught me how a child should be raised Away from fear and protected from violence Never again would I have to See my brother hide under his bed Or cry “Daddy, don’t hurt me” Or smell the whiskey on his breath When I come home from school You taught me how I should be loved How a man should love a woman How I want my future husband to be And how love is unconditional You stuck with me Through my hatred Of you, of me, of the world You helped me understand That it wasn’t my fault That I didn’t make him leave You stepped in When I was ready to give up When I decided that I wanted a permanent solution to the problem No matter how bad things got You never gave up On me, my mom, my brother Or my brand new baby brother You always encouraged me And told me I could do better I never believed you Until it happened I never thought a step-dad Could become such an influence I never knew that a step-dad Could be such a hero I never guessed that my step-dad Could become my dad