In November Daddy began writing down poems, hymns, verses & passages that meant a lot to him & that he had memorized. He also wrote out his statement of faith that he wanted me to read during the worship/funeral service. He started writing out his obituary & what he wanted for the worship service. He first just wanted a graveside service, then he decided on a worship service. He could careless about someone giving his eulogy.
During one of our devotion times John (my brother) was reading some of Daddy's poems to him that he had memorized. In the middle of some of them he would correct him & then finish it out or just start quoting it. The Tues before he died on Thurs (his last really good day), I mentioned how I wish that I had "The Kite" poem that he had memorized, but I would get it from John. He then said, "I will give it to you." And he sure did. It was a very long poem. His mind & alertness was amazing to me.
Here's "The Kite" poem---
“The Kite”
“See how the crowd of gazing people
admire my flight above the steeple.
How they would wonder, if they knew,
all that a kite like me could do.
If I were free from this string,
I would take a flight and pierce the clouds beyond their sight.
I'd brave the eagles towering wings,
were I but free from the string.”
It tugged and pulled, as it spoke,
to snap the string and at last, it broke.
Unable it's own weight to bare,
it fluttered downward through the air.
Unable it's own course to guide,
it soon plunged into the tide.
Ah, foolish kite; thou hast no wings;
how couldst thou fly without a string?
My heart cried out, “Oh God, I see just how much that kite resembles me.
Forgetful that in Thee I stand,
unmindful of Thy ruling hand.
How often I wished to break the line
Thy wisdom for my lot assigns.
How often indulged in vain desires
for something more or something higher.
But for Thy love and grace divine,
a fall so dreadful had been mine.”
This was how Daddy truly saw himself--his heart.
ann :)
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