Do not stand at my grave and weep,
I am not there, I do not sleep.
I am the thousand winds that blow;
I am the diamond glint on snow;
I am the sunlight on ripened grain;
I am the gentle autumn's rain.
When you awaken into the morning,I am the swift,
uplifting rush of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft star that shines at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry,
I am not there, I did not die.
Daddy
believed in family above all else. He hated to see a family in discord...
even though
he had a way of getting us riled on occasion.
It was
his way or no way, and if we didn't choose his way,
we all
knew about it in no uncertain terms.
Daddy
was a deeply emotional man who loved unconditionally.
He was
not too proud to cry if the situation called for it.
Daddy
had a sense of humor....loved to hear and tell jokes.
He was
in his glory when telling stories of yesteryear when he was young.
He could
keep us in stitches with some of those stories.
At any
family gathering, all we had to do was ask one question about
the good
ol' days and he was off and running with another story.
Daddy
had only one love in his life, his adored wife, my Mama, Grace.
He adored
the ground she walks on for the almost sixty-one
years
that they were married.
1937
1996
60th Anniversary
1948
1996
The
clock of life is wound but once
And
no man has the power
To tell
just when the hands will stop
At late
or early hour.
Now
is the only time you own...
Live,
love, toil with a will.
Place
no faith in tomorrow for
The
clock may then be still.
Please
do not take any time for granted.
Life is
fleeting and is gone before we know it.
Love your
parents, spouses, children, and friends...
Do not
be afraid or ashamed to tell them you love them.
Because,
when that clock stops, it will be too late.
