A Daughter's Question

(album: Darlin' - 1981)

The time had finally come to end our marriage
The love that we once shared had to end
And we knew it would be hard to tell our little daughter
Daddy would be moving out today
So we waited until we could wait no longer
Then we tried to be as gentle as we could be
And after I had kissed her and quickly walked away
She followed me outside and called to me

She said, "Daddy, please tell me"
Her eyes so filled with tears she could not see
"Now that you've stopped loving mommy
Does it mean that you've stopped loving me"

And the words she uttered cut right through me
And I realized what she must be going through
To know that those two people whose love had brought her life
Were strangers and there was nothing she could do
And I knew that my words of reassurance
Would be the most important words I'd ever say
So I tenderly and lovingly put my arms around her
And I asked my god to please show me the way

I said, "Honey, your mom and I both love you
Much more than you could ever really know
And the love that she and I had for each other
Still lives in you and with the years will grow
And don't ever think that just because I'm leaving
That your daddy doesn't love his precious little girl
I'll always be here honey if you ever need me
So you'll never again have to say those words."

She said, "Daddy, please tell me"
Her eyes so filled with tears she could not see
"Now that you've stopped loving mommy
Does it mean that you've stopped loving me"

Daddy, please don't stop loving me