The Perfect Father

When I came into the world You where there, You kept me safe on my way home, I did not know You then but You already knew who I was and the kind of person I was going to be. You made sure there were people around me to watch over me, You caught me whenever I fell to make my fall less painful.

I saw myself forced to grow up faster than others, most of the time learning things the hard way, loneliness was my companion. Many times I questioned you about my life and why I had to suffer and felt so unhappy, I was lost walking on a long road with blurry sights, trying to look back searching for answers to my questions but all I found was faded memories of my past. I didn't know where to go or what to look for or who to look after but all that time You were there, waiting for me to reach for You, I passed You by.

I ran through life with my eyes covered, sometimes ending up where I began and falling on the ground feeling the thorns piercing my heart, I looked everywhere and wondered where were You but never found You, I was looking in the wrong places, from far away You were watching. You tried to show me an easier way but I didn't let myself see it, You tried to tell me which way to go, but I didn't listen, You put people on my life with a purpose, but I ignored them, You sent me signs with important messages but I was looking the other way, I missed them. I felt a great emptiness within me and cried night by night sometimes not knowing why.

One day in the place I less expected I found You, God, in my heart. You've taken away all the tears and rinsed my soul with them, you helped me clear out my mind and made me understand the simplicity of life and yet the perfection of it, and for the first time my sight was not blurry, the thorns were vanishing one by one, little by little You were taking them all out of my heart. For the first time I closed my eyes and I still could see the "road" and started to walk on a still strong path, there were no rocks in the way, a colorful view surrounded the entire place and I just couldn't stop smiling; I became a stronger person, I found happiness.

Now I'm confident that whenever I feel sad you'll be there to comfort me, when I need an answer I just have to ask You, when I need advice I can count on Your Wisdom, whenever I find myself in weakness, become vulnerable and make mistakes I know that I could learn from them and turn them to Good.

Now I understand that it was You who kept me from falling apart, that all those dark lonely nights You were there watching my back, that no matter how far I pushed You away You never forgot about me.

You have always respected me and still do, You care about me, You are strict and firm but still can be gentle and comprehensive, You are faithful.

I thank You for all I've got, for all I've conquered in life, for all the experiences I've gone through, they have made me the person I am. Now I know an easier way, now I know which way to go, I've got someone to look after.

You are my strength, You are in my thoughts wherever I go, You are everything I need...

You are the Perfect Father.

Sandra Falcón (2004)