Dedicated to Chelsea

You weren’t my biological daughter, but you lit up my world.
Where did this extraordinary filial love come from?
I’m indebted to you because you made me feel like a father.
There seems to be an unbreakable bond between us.
I can’t explain it, but we’re somehow connected to each other.

My wife and I wanted to nurture and train you as our daughter.
Your mom asked you, “Do you want to live with them?”
You jumped and clapped your hands and said, “Yes! Yes! I’ll go!”
I know why your loving parents didn’t allow us to adopt you.
If you were my child, I wouldn’t let you out of my sight.

You were the most adorable little girl who was ever born.
I found your baby walk and baby talk quite entertaining.
All those baby hugs brought happiness to my heart.
And all those baby smiles surely made my life worthwhile.
I wouldn’t have traded those special moments for anything.

Sometimes you sat on the floor and distracted me while I was sewing.
You picked up a small piece of leatherette and showed it to me.
“What colour is this?” you asked, and I said, “purple.”
You did the same thing repeatedly and I taught you the colours.
I didn’t mind the annoyance, for you were such an amusing child.

When you visited me with your grandma, you were so excited.
I photographed the words you wrote with your finger on a dusty glass.
Even though you spelled my name incorrectly, it was okay.
I clearly understood your feelings of daughterly affection for me.
How I hope you’ll remember me when I get old and grey.