Walk A Little Straighter

Someone once said, "The saddest thing in the world, is loving someone who used to love you".
I'd have to argue with that, because while having a broken heart may be sad, it's not the 'saddest' thing in the world. That would have to be the eyes of a child when they experience pain. Whether that pain is physical or emotional. Maybe emotional is worse. Children have short memories when it comes to physical pain. They forget the skinned knees, the earaches, the tummy aches. The pain of having their little hearts broken stays with them forever. How do you explain to a child why his/her parent, or friend doesn't love them? Can words ever heal that wound? Somehow I don't think so.
Maybe what that line should be is "The saddest thing in the world is loving someone who should love you, but doesn't".
Today I'm thinking of all the children who's lives have been irreparably affected by a parent who failed to step up to the plate. I hurt for them. I cry for them. I pray for them.

I remember looking up
To look up to him
And I remember most the time
He wasn't there
I'd be waiting at the door
When he got home at night
He'd pass me by to go to pass out in his chair

And I'd say
Walk a little straighter daddy
You're swaying side to side
You're footsteps make me dizzy
And no matter how I try
I keep tripping and stumbling
If you'd look down here you'd see
Walk a little straighter daddy
You're leading me

He stumbled in the gym
On graduation day
And I couldn't help but feel
So ashamed
And I wasn't surprised a bit
When he didn't stay
He stumbled out before they called my name

And I thought
Walk a little straighter daddy
You're swaying side to side
It's not just me who's watching
you've caught everybody's eye
And you're tripping and stumbling
and even though I've turned 18
Walk a little straighter daddy
You're still leading me

The old mans still like he always was
But I love him anyway
If I've learned one thing from him
Its my kids will never have to say

Walk a little straighter daddy
You're swaying side to side
You're footsteps make me dizzy
And no matter how I try
I keep tripping and stumbling
if you'd look down here you'd see
Walk a little straighter daddy
You're leading me

Yeah walk a little straighter daddy
You're leading me