When I look above and the black and white warbler trills high in the birches, that is my song for you.

When the waves ripple and retreat over rocks on a Maine lakeshore, that is my song for you.

When the snowflakes fall and I can hear them over the silence, that is my song for you.

When my paddle swirls and drips back into the stream, that is my song for you.

When a chainsaw buzzes through hardwood on a late Summer day, that is my song for you.

When James Taylor Showers People He Loves with Love, that is my song for you.

When our campfire crackles over a starry sky, that is my song for you.

When leaves crunch underfoot in October and I’m in the woods, that is my song for you.

When I share the scientific name of Winterberry with your grandkids, that is my song for you.

When I look at my husband and know the father he is, partly because he loved you too, that is my song for you.

When my garden grows your flowers, that is my song for you.

When I make sure my children hear I Love You everyday, that is my song for you.

When I settled in to my dream to be a teacher and you already knew I was, that is my song for you.

When my love is fierce and my words are few, that is my song for you.

When my Scrabble tiles make 7, that is my song for you.

When I say something dry and smart that you’ve already said, that is my song for you.

When my heart bleeds tears into my days, Daddy, that is my song for you.

Your strength is your song to me.

Your wisdom is your song to me.

Your perseverance is your song to me.

Your gentle words of encouragement is your song to me.

Sweetie written on paper folded carefully in my treasure boxes is your song to me.

A life of learning is your song to me.

Conversation before it was too late is your song to me.

Telling me to work hard at my marriage is your song to me.

The littlest one whose expressions remind me of yours, is your song to me.

The freedom you told me you trusted me in, is your song to me.

The discipline you spoke without words, is your song to me.

Asking all the right questions when things weren’t right at all, is your song to me.

The last time you squeezed my hand, is your song to me.

Tonight, Daddy, I miss your singing.

But, with my whole heart:

I promise I will remember your song.