Constructing a Man You didn't know I was watching Or maybe, you knew I was Maybe you knew I was learning What and why a parent does Maybe your actions were consciously Meant to teach and to instruct Maybe the lessons you gave to me Were only matters of dumb luck The probable truth that comes to me: A combining of the two Constructing a Man as he should be And the two of you being you. Father, Daddy, Mister, Dad You've proven and you have shown There's more to being truly Man Than pure testosterone Your singing and your playing On your beat-up old guitar Your reading and relayin Of the plays of Bill the Bard Striving to the best at work And loving what you do Responsible, loyal, never shirk The duties that come to you And you might not know I've seen it You might not know I saw The several times you protected us With maleness in the raw Daring, gentle, brave, and true Tender, strong, and glad I hope I'm half the father as you I love you truly, Dad. Mother, Mommy, Mom, and Ma'am I want it truly known How much of me is what I am From lessons that you've shown Taking time for quietness And sitting down to learn Working through the times of stress With patience, calm, and nerve Knowledge how some human touch Can cure most any ache Listening carefully does so much To help avoid mistake When you have to do it Stop your griping and just do Be quick to give a compliment In critique be fair but true And with a gentle, gentle hand Bring comfort, joy, and smile To nature, life, and fellowman To spouse and home and child. It's the two of you together Who made me what I am A father who can mother And a halfway decent man Hopefully I am giving mine Some lessons of my own Passing on right down the line The truths that you have shown I love you Linda, I love you Roy So much to you I owe You've shown me love and life and joy And showed me the way to grow. Qe'van