The Little Chap Who Follows Me

I came across this poem recently, and was tearing up after the first two lines. First, I thought of my little son and how he looks up to me. Then, I thought of my dad, and how he modeled (and continues to model) godliness, sacrifice, generosity, and love.

There seems to be a dispute over the original author of this poem, and most sources say it is unknown. Regardless of who wrote it, it is a great reminder for every father:

A careful man I want to be;
A little fellow follows me.
I do not dare to go astray
For fear he’ll go the self-same way.

I cannot once escape his eyes,
Whate’er he sees me do, he tries.
Like me he says he’s going to be;
The little chap who follows me.

He thinks that I’m so very fine,
Believes in every word of mine.
The base in me he must not see;
The little chap who follows me.

I must remember as I go
Through summer’s sun and winter’s snow,
I’m building for the years to be;
The little chap who follows me.

-Author Unknown