Sam Poem by Bill Upton

At 83 years young, he was laid to rest
In his black tuxedo, his cufflinks, his perfectly coiffed hair.
Only a handful of mourners, mostly family.
Such a shame.
The great ones die alone.
His passion for running through life at 100 miles an hour
Could not be hidden by the earth about to be shoveled upon him.
So handsome, so strong, so full of mischief!
A joie de vivre unmatched by men half his age.
The full blown essence of life now taken away.
He walked the land as a common man,
But he was not common.
He danced the dance of life
And left the ladies swooning in his wake.
A man's man-
A friend's friend.
Loyalty that was never challenged or compromised.
A larger than life person about whom you would say,
'Now there's one guy I miss'.
He was laid to rest on that sunny morning,
Having given far more than he took.
Still, a presence that lingers,
A laugh that makes you smile.

Truly a life well lived...
A lesson well taught.
A magical man...
At last, dancing with the stars.