For Mr. Hale -- Things I Remember
It's been three decades and more
Since I played daily in your yard
And often ate at your table
With you and Ms. Ann
And Judson, David, and Missy
As I've strolled down memory lane
I've realized how fortunate I was to know you
To have best friends that called you "Dad"
Which meant I got to be one of the kids in your village
I guess that's the luck of geography
There were the countless evenings at Babb Park
Cheering on whichever team Bucky and Diggy
Were playing on at the time
And rides in the El Camino up the hill to Dairy Queen
To celebrate someone's home run
Or just because someone asked if we could go and you said "yes"
I remember you being lots of fun
But also knowing you meant business, too
You commanded respect and taught obedience
Which is probably why we scrambled and sweated all afternoon one day
Cleaning up a powder-filled storage room, after setting off the fire extinguisher
Desperate praying for the delay of your arrival home
Time can do funny things to our memories
Things that we remember to be larger than life
Somehow seem smaller as adults
However, there is one thing that I remember about you
That time will never change
It was the twinkle in your eye when you talked about your kids.
I remember being 9, 10, 11 years old and watching your eyes light up
Whenever you said anything about them.
I knew you loved them.
But I could sense that you liked them too.
How cool was that?!?
It was all about the twinkle
I can still see it when I close my eyes
And it reminds me that not only does my Heavenly Father love me
But he likes me, too
I was blessed to have you play such an important role
During my growing up years.
And for you and your family, I will always be thankful.
It's been three decades and more
Since I played daily in your yard
And often ate at your table
With you and Ms. Ann
And Judson, David, and Missy
As I've strolled down memory lane
I've realized how fortunate I was to know you
To have best friends that called you "Dad"
Which meant I got to be one of the kids in your village
I guess that's the luck of geography
There were the countless evenings at Babb Park
Cheering on whichever team Bucky and Diggy
Were playing on at the time
And rides in the El Camino up the hill to Dairy Queen
To celebrate someone's home run
Or just because someone asked if we could go and you said "yes"
I remember you being lots of fun
But also knowing you meant business, too
You commanded respect and taught obedience
Which is probably why we scrambled and sweated all afternoon one day
Cleaning up a powder-filled storage room, after setting off the fire extinguisher
Desperate praying for the delay of your arrival home
Time can do funny things to our memories
Things that we remember to be larger than life
Somehow seem smaller as adults
However, there is one thing that I remember about you
That time will never change
It was the twinkle in your eye when you talked about your kids.
I remember being 9, 10, 11 years old and watching your eyes light up
Whenever you said anything about them.
I knew you loved them.
But I could sense that you liked them too.
How cool was that?!?
It was all about the twinkle
I can still see it when I close my eyes
And it reminds me that not only does my Heavenly Father love me
But he likes me, too
I was blessed to have you play such an important role
During my growing up years.
And for you and your family, I will always be thankful.
