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Dad, you departed this life eleven years ago on this date,
allowing us to know that death is mortal man's fate.
I pray that you lie in eternal peace while you rest,
for I always knew you gave your very best.
As a lad you held my hand,
and told me you would help me to become a man.
Whether right or whether wrong,
doing your best, you led me on, until I was grown.
Instilling in me the many virtues of this life here on earth,
love, honor, trust and respect, from the moment of my birth.
You taught me to stand tall and to give my best,
so that at night, I could have peaceful rest.
And when I thought I was grown and became rebellious,
You never gave up on me in defeat.
You allowed me to make my own mistakes,
so that I would learn to stand firmly on my own feet.
You never told me how wrong I had been, nor did you accuse,
you loved me still, regardless of my abuse.
Now as I approach those golden years,
it is you I am still trying to emulate,
and I know the angels in heaven will rejoice,
as you enter through the Golden Gate!
Charles