That's My Job

My dad and stepmom were married when I was 12. My stepmom asked me to be her Maid of Honor. I had no idea what an actual honor that was. And that she chose me so I could be in the wedding, rather than one of her sisters or best friends. I wish I would have known.

Before the wedding, my dad told me at the reception, he and I were going to dance to That's My Job by Conway Twitty. Being the 12 year old I was, I was embarassed by the thought that we were going to be dancing to Conway Twitty. Geez, dad just didn't know music.

Sis #1 (who was 5 at the time) and dad danced to Daddy's Hands by Holly Dunn. A beautiful song.

It wasn't until years later that I listend to the lyrics of our song and realized how beautiful and touching it was. It fit so well.

I can't believe how these lyrics match so perfectly.

I woke up cryin' late at night - when I was very young
I had dreamed my father - had passed away and gone
My world revolved around him - I couldn't lie there anymore
So I made my way down the mirrowed hall and tapped upon his door.

And I said, "Daddy, I'm so afraid!
How would I go on, with you gone that way?
Don't wanna cry anymore
So may I stay with you?"

And he said,
"That's my job, that's what I do
Everything I do is because of you
To keep you safe with me ...
That's my job, you see."

Later we barely got along - this teenage boy and he
Most of the fights it seems - were over different dreams
We each held for me ...
He wanted knowledge and learning - I wanted to fly out west
"Said I could make it out there - if I just had the fare
I got half, will you loan me the rest?"

And I said, "Daddy, I'm so afraid
Theres no guarentee in the plans I've made
And if I should fail, who will pay my way back home?"

And he said,
"That's my job, that's what I do
Ev'rything I do is because of you
To keep you safe with me ...
That's my job, you see."

Every person carves his spot - and fills the hole with life
And I pray someday I might - light as bright as he.

Woke up early one bright fall day - read the tragic news
After all my travels, I settled down - within a mile or two
I make my livin' with words and rhymes - and all the tragedies
Should go into my head and out instead - as bits of poetry.

But I say, "Daddy I'm so afraid
How will I go on - with you gone this way
How can I come up - with a song to say, "I love you."

"That's my job, that's what I do
Ev'rything I do is because of you
To keep you safe with me ...
That's my job, you see."

"Ev'rything I do is because of you
To keep you safe with me."

I love this song. I love what it means and I love what it symbolizes. I wish I would have known then how special it really was. What a wonderful thing unconditional love is.