Her hair was up in a ponytail, her favorite dress tied with a bow.

Today's was Daddy's Day at school and she couldn't wait to go.

But her mommy tried to tell her, that she should probably stay at home.

The other kids might not understand, if she went to school alone.

But she was not afraid. She knew just what to say.

What to tell her classmates, just why he wasn't there today.

But her mom still worried, for her to face this day alone.

Which is why once again, she tried to keep her daughter home.

But the little went to school, eager to tell them all

About a dad she never sees, a dad who never calls.

There were daddies along the wall for everyone to meet.

Children squirming impatiently, anxious in their seats.

1 by 1, the teacher called a child, to introduce their dad.

As seconds slowly passed, at last the teacher called her name.

Everyone turned to stare, each of them searching for a man who wasn't there.

"Where's her daddy at?" she heard a boy ask out.

"She probably doesn't have one." Another dared to shout.

And from somewhere in the back, she heard a daddy say,

"Looks like another deadbeat dad, too busy to waste his day."

The words did not offend her as she smiled up at her mom, and then looked at the teacher who told her to go on.

And with hands behind her back, slowly she began to speak and out from the mouth of a child came words incredibly unique.

"My daddy couldn't be here, because he lives so far away.

But I know he wishes he could be, since this is such a special day. I wanted you to know all about my daddy and how much he loves me so.

He loved to tell me stories, he taught me to ride my bike. We used to share fudge sundaes and ice cream in a cone and though you cannot see him, I know I'm not standing here alone.

Because my daddy's always with me, even though we are apart.

I know because he told me he would always be in my heart."

With that, her little hand reached up and she laid it across her chest.

Feeling her own heartbeat through her favorite dress, and from somewhere in the crowd of dads,

Her mom stood in tears,

Proudly watching her daughter who was wise beyond her years.

For she stood up for the love of a man not in her life, doing what was best for her, doing what was right.

And when she dropped her hand back down, staring straight into the crowd,

She finished with a voice so soft, but its message loud and clear.

"I love my daddy, he's my shining star.

And if he could he'd be here, but Heaven's just to far.

You see, he was a fireman and died just this past year,

When planes hit the towers and taught Americans to fear.

But sometimes when I close my eyes, it's like he never went away."

And then she closed her eyes and saw him there that day,

And to her mother's amazement as she witnessed with surprise,

A room full of daddies and children closing their eyes.

Who knows what they saw before them or what they felt inside.

Maybe for a second they saw him at her side.

No one in the room could explain,

For each of their eyes had been closed, but there on the desk was a long stemmed pink rose.

And a child was blessed, if only for a moment, by the love of her shining star.

And given the gift of believing, that Heaven is not too far.

They say it takes a minute to meet a special person,

A hour to appreciate them,

A day to love them,

But it takes an entire to forget them.

Take the time…… To live and love.