He was a father to me

The very last thing he taught me.
Express how you’re feeling before they just become black words on white paper.


“HE WAS A FATHER TO ME”


He was a father at a young age
He introduced me to Bob Segar and turn the page
He taught me the difference in wrong or right
He taught me that some time’s you have to fight
He new when I needed to talk and when to let me be
He was a father to me.

He taught, he loved, and he cared
He fought, he laughed and shared
He bargained, he wheeled and dealed
He loved garage sales and old trucks out of fields
He would get under your skin just for fun
And if you needed him to help he would come
You either liked him or you didn’t like him
Unless you loved him
And then some times you liked him and some time you didn’t like him
But you all way’s loved him
He taught, he loved, and he cared
He talked, he thought, and he cried
He touched every one’s hearts before he died
A good friend to the tee
I thank god he was a father to me

I've never seen a heart like no other
Some times he was my father and some times he was my big brother
To know the time in which to be one or the other is not the brother
It is a father like no other
He led me when I could not see
He was a father to me

He protected me from pain
He protected me when he was ill and walked with a cane
He was still protecting me even when he was close to death
He continued to protect until he took his last breath
He was protecting me when he wanted me to leave
I loved him he was a father to me

He cried in happiness and raged with love
Now he looks down at me from above
I feel he will still protect me at my time of need
But now I must step up and take the lead
I hope to have strength to pass his love onto others
Especially my kids as they grow into sister’s brothers and lovers
As they will need me to be their father this I see
And I will be there for them because he was a father to me.

I learned from things he did wrong and things he did right
I learned from his willingness to listen and from his keen sight
I learned from his work habits
And his bad habits
I learned from his love and his rage
I learned from his friends he kept each time his life turned a page.
It didn’t matter the page or the year
Caring friends were near
So, grab a beer or a coke
Tell a story or a joke
Laugh or cry
We are all here to celebrate his life
For every thing he loved is present here today as you read
“He was a father to me”


These writings are dedicated to my father Thomas john Mclaughlin
Nov. 1956 - Feb. 2007
As he lived I learned from him and, as he died I continued to learn  from him and, as he rests I will continue to learn from his life. I love you dad.