A Tribute to Dad

Introduction: I am glad for opportunity to share this. It almost got lost underneath the rubble. Every poem has a story. I wrote this a few days before I was to attend Dad's funeral in hopes I could share it. Mom chose a humorous poem that another family member wrote. She told me she was having enough trouble dealing with grief.

A Tribute to Dad:

How can one say enough about a person one knows as Dad?
A mountain of a man, he'd reach out and touch,
The bread winner, providing for a family in need
He'd say, think for yourself, do a good deed.

He was the king of the castle in a place known as home,
respectful and quiet, handsomely groomed,
working long hours until death did part,
love to us all through his labor in love.

His heart beating softly to the lessons life taught,
Singing of Christ as a youth he sought,
Preparing himself for the larger task at hand,
Singing for Jesus to our family clan.

To his wife, my mom married forty-seven years,
though wounded and suffering caring to the end,
She was someone to keep happy as best he knew how
God's gift to him who would challenge and arouse.

Eldest son, a ministerial glow,
In a small inner city church God's love to show,
passion to care for the least of these,
recalling past investment, confusion dispelled.

Kurt, born athletic a runner and player,
running to foretell,
Dad is there when in crisis wishing him well,
companions in overcoming their ills

Lori, a nurse healing patients from pain,
watched her husband and children grow in grace,
ever hopeful of sharing an encouraging word,
To her, dad was special-"take a trip around the world".
.
Kim ever present caring for those who hurt,
learning from her parents about labors of love,
She is there for husband and her four kids,
Wanting what is best; a life of peace and hope.

Craig, heavy set warrior five children by his side,
singing in the choir seeking God's will,
Learning how to fight to keep a marriage alive,
seeking God's perfection one day at a time.

Glenn shows compassion for persons down and out,
seeking harmony amidst struggles within,
awaiting a time when he can share one and all,
there within burns a love that can conquer all.

Lisa a daughter who enjoyed Dad a lot,
a teacher of preschoolers, she loves to read,
a silent perceiver of God's gift in all,
loving her husband, awaiting God's call.

And lets not forget Missie her name begs the same,
companion in prayer working hard to please all,
a servant and laborer after Dad's own heart,
He husband and sons further gifts not forgot.

Thanks for all God sent to make Dad who he was,
most of all thank God for a father we all learned to love,
with balded head and beaming smile,
he reminds us all we can all be God's child.

Thanks for taking time to read it. Dad feels a lot closer at this moment. His bald head is all aglow.