Legacy
by Louise Bates
~
With laughter, song, and courage he met the world
Fearless, great-hearted, and strong.
Never hesitated to help anyone in need
Despised meanness and cruelty.
He worked hard his entire life without complaint
To take care of his own, and others too.
~
A single life can touch so many
Bring hope, give inspiration, share joy.
Like ripples in a pond
Radiating from a single tossed pebble
The goodness of one man’s quiet life
Has spread – and keeps spreading.
~
He is gone, but his legacy endures
Love, faithfulness, compassion
Kindness, hard work, music
And laughter – always laughter.
In the hearts of all who knew him
Who he was lives on.
~
We buried my grandfather this morning. It’s been a rough few days. Thank you, everyone who offered condolences and comfort (and poetic assistance) on Twitter.
(Seriously, the above poem (which was printed on the hand-out at Grandpa’s calling hours) would not have been written without help from my Tweeps.)
Many times this past week I’ve said that I don’t mind getting older myself, but I really wish my grandparents’ generation would stop aging. I’m never ready to say goodbye.
The grief has hit me oddly this time around. I’ve not been extremely emotional, just tired. So, so tired. I’m not sure how much posting I’ll be doing in the next few weeks. With holidays coming and more traveling planned for immediately afterward, I’m not sure when my creative well will get a chance to be refilled. I had been participating in the #nerdlution (check it out on Twitter) before all this happened, and I hope to get back to my goal of 30 minutes of creative writing a day soon. Maybe when we get home (and unpacked, and laundry washed, and Christmas tree set up and decorated) I’ll be able to get going with that again.
In the meantime, thanks again for your friendship, and your patience while I’m sporadic with social media.
I’m so sorry for your loss, E.L. What a beautiful tribute to your grandfather. Peace and comfort to you and your family.
Thank you, Jeanne. It’s been hard, but we’re so thankful for each other, and for all the wonderful memories we have of him.
I’m so sorry for your loss. My grandfather died a few years ago. And I miss him.
I pray that the Lord comforts you!
Thanks, Connie. It is slowly hitting me – in drips and drops – that he’s really gone. He’s been such a solid part of my life ever since I was a baby. It just doesn’t seem possible that we aren’t going to go visit him when we go back up in January, or that I won’t be sending him a Christmas card this year. So strange.