I have a daughter who turns 17 in April. She lives with her mom 2000 miles away and I haven't seen her in a long time and she doesn't want to talk to me. She said that the song "Perfect" by Simple Plan sums up how she feels. I wrote and recorded this song as a response and apology.
When I was a perfectionist I tortured myself if things didn't come out as planned. My life was full of stress because I tried to control the uncontrollable. Sometimes I just didn't have the resources to do what I wanted. Finally I learned this key to living a happier life: Do what you can, with what you've got, where you are. That's all we can expect from ourselves and others.
Is it too late to tell you I'm proud of you?
Or will you just stand there rolling your eyes?
I'm man enough to admit to my mistakes
so I wrote this song to apologize
I thought I was a gardener pruning his prize rose tree
instead I left you feeling like an amputee
I never expected perfection
Do what you can with what you got where you are
I had to leave but I never gave up on you
I know it made you angry, confused, and sad
no matter how far away or how old you get
You're still my daughter and I am still your dad
in my imagination you're still a twirling little girl
but you've become a smart and confident woman of the world
I never expected perfection
Just do what you can with what you got where you are
That's all I ever expect from you
