With Open Arms

Daddy always taught me
A closed mind could never get you far
He said to live with faith in God
And be happy with all you are

His arms were always opened
There to hold me good and tight
Always there to wipe away my tears
And to tuck me in at night

I listened to the words he spoke
He always spoke with such conviction
He taught me that the world was mine
And all I had to do was listen

I grew over the years
And he taught me so much more
He was always there and ready to hug me
That's what open arms are for

I messed up a time or two
And I know that it hurt his heart
But he always helped me get my act together
Said there could be a whole new start

He instilled in me his values
Tried his best to shield all harm
He told me life would end up better
If I lived with open arms

He taught me how to accept things
And not to judge but try to help
He said it's mostly mind over matter
And I could see some heaven in any hell

Now I'm all grown up
And I think I turned out pretty good
I do my best to live with open arms
Like daddy always said I should

I face each moment as it comes
And try to comfort all those I can
I confront each day with open arms
When in the past I would've ran

So to all of those with aching souls
I pass on my dad's advice
If you go through life and your arms are closed
Then you're not really living life

You're too busy dwelling on your heartache
And all of the things you've never had
I'm glad I don't have to live my life like that
And I'd like to thank my dad

He passed on all of his morals
And he passed on all of his charms
And he always taught his children
To live life with open arms