The Only Child

[Dad wrote this for Danny to read at my wedding reception.]

Now, Heather was an only child
And that's the life she wanted.
She giggled and she cooed and smiled
And lived her life undaunted.

Yes, life was good and best of all,
She didn't have to share it.
Her parents---if they made a haul,
'Twas all hers to inherit.

She loved the way they doted and
The way they hugged and kissed her,
And never seemed to understand
That this could change...poor sister.

Into each life must fall some rain.
It really is uncanny.
For her, it was a hurricane
That had the name of Danny.

But she was loath to lose her place
With Daddy and with Mommy.
And scratched me right across the face
The instant that she saw me.

Of course, since then, she's had her turn.
Thank me and thank my brothers.
We helped her every day to learn
To get along with others.

To socialize her---what a fight.
It's been my lifelong study.
I made her what she is, so Dwight,
You owe me big-time, buddy!