I almost lost my own this past week.  I am so grateful and blessed that he is here to honor and love today.  He is am amazing man and means the world to me.  Warms embraces to you all.  

To pull the metal splinter from my palm
my father recited a story in a low voice.
I watched his lovely face and not the blade.
Before the story ended, he’d removed
the iron sliver I thought I’d die from.
I can’t remember the tale,
but hear his voice still, a well
of dark water, a prayer.
And I recall his hands,
two measures of tenderness
he laid against my face
– Li-Young Lee, 'The Gift'