He would have been 83
If he lived just 5 more days.
Instead for his birthday remembrance
You and your sister hosted a sad celebration.
How wonderful to hear about it
How the people in his life shared
How you learned new special things he did
His good works touched so many.
The garbage man came to pay his respects
To the man who came out to the curb to help him.
The Mexican neighbors he befriended were there
And all the other neighbors he helped, too.
They came from the Children’s Justice Center
With stories of the beautiful wood toy trucks he made
Changing the model each year in case some abused child
Should have the misfortune to be there twice or more.
Just this year he made hundreds of silhouette cut outs
Displayed in front to count the boys and girls served
Marking the prevalence of child abuse made visible
That took weeks of work cutting plywood on the band saw.
They came from the local community theater group
Where for dozens of productions over the years
The most enchanting sets came from his workshop
Designed and built and donated all of them.
His reward was knowing he made some child’s day better.
His reward was seeing the theatre audience enjoying the play.
His reward was doing his part whatever he could
To make the world around him a better place for all.
The women came from the outdoor club
Who joined him this spring on their expeditions.
The dinosaur footprints scientist lady was there, too.
What a match that would have been.
I remember him telling us of the dead hummingbird crashed into his window
How he placed the bird in a small box and buried it in his garden.
He was such a kind hearted person.
How I loved him for being not ashamed to share such a story.
You have some closure now I hope
Though you will be in mourning for some time.
It’s good you have new closeness with your sister.
We will honor him in our new house.
