He sat and watched the baseball game
like every Father's Day,
His kids were grown and all moved out
and lived so far away.

He knew one at a time
would call and they would always say,
"Hi Dad... I just called to
wish you Happy Father's Day."

His wife had passed some years ago,
now he lived all alone,
So now the highlight of this day
was waiting by the phone.

The game would start at 1pm
when he would hear "Play ball."
And he knew by the last inning
that all of them would call.

When they would call it would be short
and few words would be spoken,
He wondered if on Father's Day
their calls were just a token.

He loved his children and he knew
that they all loved him too,
But it seemed that they had drifted
as kids often do.

They get so caught up in their lives,
so busy all the time,
And don't give him a second thought
because they know he's fine.

He sees them maybe twice a year
around the holidays,
It's hard to get together
as they've all gone separate ways.

At least they do remember him
if just a little call,
And remember that he's here
just watching his baseball.

So as he sits and waits for them,
the game is growing long.
It is the seventh inning and no calls;
there must be something wrong.

Deep in thought of what had happened
with no way to tell,
He was jolted from his thoughts
by sounds of his doorbell.

He quickly got up from his chair
it caught him by surprise,
And when he opened up the door
could not believe his eyes.

A man was standing at the door
and smiled and called his name,
And he replied "Why, yes, that's me.
I am one and the same."

Then, "Happy Father's Day to you,
now I am on my way."
And then he handed him a huge
and beautiful bouquet.

He just stood and stared at them while
standing at the door,
No one had ever sent him flowers
in his life before.

He thought someone had made
an error on delivery,
He took the flowers in
and opened up the card to see.

He opened up the little card
to see what it would say,
And as he read the first line it said
"Happy Father's Day!"

"It's from the kids,"
he softly said,
"now this is a surprise."
And as he read the little card
the tears filled up his eyes.

"Dad you know we always call
you on this special day,
But it's so hard for all of us
to find the words to say,

To tell you Dad how much we love
you just for being you,
So this year we all got the idea
to try something new.

Flowers are the ultimate
expression to show love,
Flowers are the special gift
when you are thinking of,

Someone who is precious
and means all the world to you,
Nothing else says "I love you"
the way that flowers do.

So place them somewhere you can see
and smell the sweet bouquet,
Because the flowers represent
what we all want to say.

We love you Dad with all our hearts
and this is just our way,
To tell you this and hope you have
the greatest Father's Day."

He put the little card aside
and smiled and wiped his eyes,
The tears were running down his cheeks
because of his surprise.

His heart was overflowing
with the love behind their plan,
Flowers say "I love you"
even when sent to a man.

Author unknown