I met him on a summer’s day,
when life seemed very far away
A home once mine when as a boy,
I’d lived and loved and searched for joy
Twas taken cruelly from my grasp,
the black sheep son, now left askance
As I walked past this house so tall,
a dark haired man in t-shirt called
“How are you today” he said and smiled,
my burden lightened, my mood beguiled
I knew that instant, my Angel named,
and in that moment, we friends became
With all the magic in his heart
my life rebuilt, he drew the chart
For two short years he gave me all,
and fifty more I still recall
How at a crossroads he there stood
a lighthouse shining, and always would
I owe so much to that young man
who took me in and took my hand
And saved me from a life unhinged,
and me a stranger—but not to him
Bob may be gone, but deep inside,
his smile stays, his goodness shines
If I may live another year,
his words I’ll carry close and dear
And thank my Brother from the sun,
—for the grateful man that I’ve become
(Villanova Pennsylvania: February 12. 2018)
‘Read At Bob’s Funeral, 2/24/18’