The Things I Never Told My Children

One day you'll open Old photo albums And see a younger man in me. A father smiling through the hard times, Trying to be stronger than he seemed. There were nights I sat there worried, Praying while the whole house slept. You never saw the tears I cried Or the promises I kept. Some truths are carried quietly Deep inside a father's heart. These are the things I never told my children. How much I loved you from the start. How every prayer I whispered to Heaven Always carried your hearts. I would have traded every dream I had Just to keep your pain away. These are the things I never told my Children Until today. I never told you how afraid I was The day I watched you growing up, 'cause every step you took toward freedom Was one step farther from my arms. And I never told you How much I missed you When the house grew still at night, Or how often I stood by your doorway Just to make sure you were all right. Mm, a father has a thousand heartaches Behind a simple smile. These are the things I never told my children. How proud you made me through the years. How watching you become who you are Was worth every sacrifice and tear. When my name becomes a memory And my chair sits empty one day, Remember these are the things I never told my Children, But always wanted to say. If someday you're standing by my grave And wishing we had one more day, Don't cry Because I left too soon. Thank God For all the years He gave. These are the things I never told my children. You were the greatest gift God gave me. Not the money, not the houses, Not anything this world could be. And when I stand before my Savior, The one thing I'll be praying is That long after I'm gone, you'll never doubt How much your father loved you. These are the things I never told My children Because I thought I had more time.