Living ...

Splashing in the backyard swimming pool
Delivering the morning paper
Mass Server, Choir Boy
Watching the comets in the early morn
Walking. skipping, laughing to school
Walking up frog hill, reading the silly signs
Boy Scout
Bingo
Skating at Comiskey
Riding in the pink wagon
Fishing on the Mississippi
Swimming in ole leary's
Sledding at Bunker Hill

Driving to the acreage in the country, running through forest, fields and streams
Sparkling, crackling bonfire shattering the darkness
Roasting, toasting marshmallows
Sharing ghost stories in the dark

Fixing our flat tires
Making a go cart
Building snow men, snow forts, and igloos
Euchre, poker, spades, hearts, double solitaire

New Years Celebration,
Valentine cards,
Easter: Dressed up mass then hunting those baskets
4th July excitement with firecrackers, sparklers, burning snakes
Labor Day / Picnics including Eagle Point
Birthday cakes and presents
Thanksgiving family meal
Christmas decorations, trees, lights, and PRESENTS

Off to Kirkwood
To become a ranger
Working in the park
Building trails, setting up displays, healing injured animals
Guiding community tours through the wildlife

Off to Iowa State to became a environmentalist
Worked protecting the environment
Eastern shore, Georgia, Alabama
Back to Iowa to raise a family

You joined with a strong lady to create a living home
Guiding two angles and one soldier with nurture, and love

You provided a moral and spiritual beacon for our family, community,church and society
You're dependable in a world that promotes independence
You're close in a world that promotes separation
You're reliable in a world that promotes transitory relationships

Shining bright all these years
Laughter, smiling, insight
Always ready to provide support
A helping hand
An encouraging word

Note....
Unfortunately my brother, friend, and best man was recently diagnosed with terminal cancer, with only a short time remaining.  This is a follow up to the poems "Road Trip", and "The long trip home:.  I write to cope ...