She was born today.
A beautiful baby girl
born to a caring mother
yet an absent father.
Where were you?

She took her first steps today
Walked right into her mother's arms.
She smiled a great big smile
and gave her mother a big hug.
Where were you?

She said her first words today
They were Mama
‘Cause she doesn’t have a clue
who her father even is.
Where were you?

She started Kindergarten today
Excited and scared
But, she put on a brave face
and entered that classroom
Where were you?

She lost her first tooth today
You should have seen her face
She put the tooth under the pillow
And wished for not money
Not a pony
Not a pet
Not a doll
No. She wished for Daddy.
Where were you?

She got straight A’s on her report card today
She was so proud
She ran and stuck it on the refrigerator
and wanted to share the great news with everyone.
Her mom
Her friends
Her grandparents
Her cousins
Her aunts and uncles
But, mostly, her father.
Where were you?

She started Middle School today,
afraid of what the other kids would say
when she found out her dad just left that way.
She made new friends
and lost old ones too.
Where were you?

She got her first kiss today
from a boy who isn’t good enough for her.
If you were here,
you’d surely disapprove.
Where were you?

She got her driver’s license today.
She was so excited,
she drove around the neighborhood for hours.
Her mother taught her how to drive
even though that’s usually the father’s job.
Where were you?

She went to prom today
with her boyfriend of two months.
She looked so beautiful.
Got her black hair straightened
and her makeup done.
She has chocolate brown eyes
and olive skin like you,
and her bright pink dress
made her look like a Cinderella.
Where were you?

She got her acceptance letter today.
Next year, she’s going to Juilliard.
She turned out to be flawless…
and fatherless.
Where were you?

She graduated high school today.
Valedictorian, she was.
She was so happy
and told the crowd
of how she overcame problems
like not having a father.
Where were you?

She filmed her first movie today.
She was the main character.
She earned 3.5 million dollars
and was on the cover of every magazine in America.
Where were you?

She got married today
to such a great boy.
But, no one was there
to walk her down the aisle.
Where were you?

She had her third child today
A little baby boy.
He looked just like her, you know.
Oh wait, no you don’t.
Where were you?

She met you for the first time today.
Your new family needs money bad.
You’re going to be on the streets soon.
You need her help.
She smiles graciously and hands you a check.
You thank her and talk to her for a while.
Her mother looks astonished.
“He wasn’t here for us!”
She looks down.
“Family is family,
whether they’re here or not.
But, Dad, I have one question…
Where were you?”