For my father

My father was the teen 

who just wanted out

Who just wanted to be done

With his family

The child who saved up his quarters 

For arcade games and soda

He was the father

Who loved his family 

His kids

His wife 

His life

And even though

He couldnt manage to keep it or himself  together

He never let go

And he never let anything 

come between him

And his family

And I will never forget 

That to him

Family was always more

And no matter what 

No matter how stupid we were

Or what choices we make 

we would always be family

And that is more

More than any girlfriend 

Any party

And any work friends 

He could ever have 

And he will always 

Be the dad who taught me to play baseball

Who took me to every game

Who bought me soda And candy 

And basically any book

Or sport equipment

I ever wanted

And the truth is I suck at sports

But I will always love them

Until the day I die

I will love them

I will be humming the tune

Take me out to the ball game

Until the day I die

Because he did 

And he bought me hot dogs

And taught me how to spit seeds

And how to be tough 

And how to throw a ball

Catch a ball 

Hit a ball

Dribble a ball

And how to be competitive

He taught me that I could do anything

my brothers could do

And I proved it 

By being the best at every sport

And by being the first child 

to start on mission papers

And even though he doesn't believe what I do

He 100 percent supports me 

and my brothers 

On going on a mission

And he supports me dating a missionary 

And working for said missionary's family

And he just wants me to be happy

And to never give up

Because he knows he taught me 

to be competitive 

for a reason