Where Has Pappy Gone?

A child filled with wonder sits on my knee,
she asks, "Where has he gone, where can my Pap be?"
I hug her and smile, knowing just what to say,
"It isn't the same, but he's not far away.
 Heaven's for real, and Pap's there now you see,
And someday we'll be with him, you and me."
Her eyes become drowsy; a smile on her face,
She says, "I bet that heaven's a really nice place."
I sit back content and knew I would start
planting seeds of God's love right there in her heart.
She drifts off to sleep, so precious to me,
I whisper a prayer, "God, let us be--
wrapped in your love and your care and your grace;
And let this little one in dreams see your face."
I sigh and remember my own father's love,
and know that he watches for us from above.
Yes, heaven must be so much more than we
would ever have imagined it to be.
God is so real and He loves you my friend,
This isn't over, it's not the end.
Just be like a child, and look for His grace
You'll find it in the simplest place.

My own eyes are closing, I'm drifting to sleep,
I want all these treasures to hold and to keep.
When just then I see my dear Daddy before me,
He's handsome, he's young, he's wrapped all in glory.
Yes, heaven's for real little child, a Voice speaks,
All the tears all the suffering aren't here for keeps.
You'll feel loved, warm and safe, you'll be wrapped in My arms,
With nothing to fear and protection from harm.
 Your earthly father is proof that I'm real,
All the good that he's done is something you'll feel.
So carry this gift back with you upon waking,
My perfect Love is a gift for the taking.

The little one stirs, and her eyes meet mine,
She says, "I want to visit with Pap one more time."
I kiss her small face and I ask, "Did you see him?"
She says "Yes, he's so happy, I thought it a dream."
But I know that God has given her a peek,
a glimpse of His love with a kiss on her cheek.
She's got her whole life ahead of her now,
For fun and adventure, so I must allow
her own little journey, her own little path,
To take time to giggle and take time to laugh.
The serious things will just have to wait,
I'm praying that her young life will be great.
And hoping that nothing will keep her apart
of the memories of Pappy and God's loving heart.

Karen Malena