Ones that he allowed me to walk in

They were never too fast,

And never too slow.

When he prayed, he shook walls-

I was not scared, though. Just proud!

I could not wait to hear him-

His voice strong and loud

He taught me to ride,

then laughed when I rode into the living room.

He worked hard at his job,

But never refused to help others-

Even when the pay for a mid-night call

might be a bushel of beans,

or only a few ears of corn.

His home was his passion-

he had built it from scratch.

He has many friends

some he remembers,

others he can not.

I feel privileged

for I am one he still knows.

I believe, it is, in part

that shadow where I stayed,

the shadow where I lived to be,

was ultimately not a shadow at all

instead it was a special place within his heart!

The day will come soon

When the shadow will fade,

perhaps his failing memory,

or perhaps his old age.

I will miss the man,

and his shadow that was,

and will never forget,

his laugh and his love.