Dear Daughters

Dear daughters

Gwen, you're my oldest and you're quite a lady

You're my only blue eyed girl and you'll turn 16 in April

And you sure made a change in my world

I'm sorry I missed the big evening, your first date and I wasn't around

Save all the secret things you did and tell me when I get to town

And on your graduation I wanted pictures to look back on

But then I wasn't there to take them, as usual I was gone

You've had to grow up much too quick and you've done it on your own

You did it without mama 'cause mama wasn't home

And Jackie, you're quite a lady too

You're just one year younger than Gwen

And there's so much that I'm missing like being mommy now and then

I remember the day you cooked your first meal, you were nine

You cooked biscuits and ham

And you called it to me how good it was 'cause I was out of town

And at the party for fathers and daughters, well, I know you felt out of place

And even the pretty dress I bought couldn't fill that empty space

And the time when you got sick and the doctors turned you down

They said they couldn't treat you with your mama out of town

And Tina, you're such a pretty girl with big almond eyes, brown

And they voted you a homecoming queen when I was out of town

I know you were a beauty 'cause your sisters dressed you right

And you said it didn't matter that I was out of town that night

And the day that you joined the cheer leading team

Boy, nothing could hold you down, you yelled, "Hip hip hooray"

Over the phone 'cause as usual I was out of town

And Tamala Georgette Jones, you simply take my breath away

Born just six short years ago and named for your daddy and me

Going to sleep on Mimoh's arm and listening to her hum

Drifting off to fairy land while sucking on your thumb

While just yesterday you pulled a tooth, you sure are brave and strong

I wish I could have been there but as usual I was gone