An old drunkard

An old drunkard
Sought to make amends
Near the end of his life
He purchased a new car
As a gift for his grandchild
Whom he'd never taken the time
To get to know
He drove for hours
To the South
Giddy with anticipation
On his dry, old lips
On his deathbed, he confessed
The car was never delivered
As he was unaccustomed to drinking
And driving so far
His grandchild smiled and forgave him
Having heard this story
Several times before
It was never the gift that mattered
Nor the attempt to atone
It was a happy surprise he even knew
The day his grandchild was born