Penned an obit today for a man not yet dead

Sat down by his wife, a few feet from his bed.

Condensing a life to mere words, a tall chore

In defining a man, what is found at his core?

Career highlights, of course, those memories stirred

Decades of preaching, proclaiming God’s Word.

Memories of family, their love, their support

He buried a wife and two children, their lives cut too short.

Time spent with friends, he loved snacks and dominos,

He’d smile and he’d wink, as he lined up his rows.

Hospitable to a fault, always opened his door

To the newcomer, the loner, always room for one more.

An encourager from the pulpit, joy was part of his mission

The glass always half full, no matter conditions.

His last words to me, before the medicine took hold

“Check on Donna,” he whispered, a charge I’ll uphold.

My friend walked with God, his heavenly reward, now pending

Tears and heartache for us, but for him, a happy ending.

Some lives speak so loudly, their impact, absurd

You just had to know him, insufficient are words.

Penned an obit today for a man not yet dead

Sat down by his wife, a few feet from his bed.