Ode To Richard Poem by Kathryn Tyler King

Richard, brave and true
I really, really miss you.
From the very first day
When you held me afraid,
afraid of my future away, for
my sons in your arms to stay.

How beautiful it was then,
simple and lovely of men,
strong and decisive you’d be,
took care of your family,
with love and forgiveness
our lives were never frivolous.

Times we spent at fun places;
camping, swimming, tying shoe laces,
eating and laughing up a storm,
sure we tried to beat the norm.
Pushups and crawls down the hall,
going to shops at the mall.

Times were not always fun.
We had trials, hair with bubblegum.
There were games and growing,
we’d be down, always knowing
that the good Lord was there,
helping him take away the fear.

Years passed, as they always do,
the kids, always needing shoes.
Richard was there working,
providing food or what was lacking.
Our children laughed and cried.
We always knew he’d provide.

The kids all knew his love
came not from here but from above.
His hands were very strong.
Sometimes correction was for wrongs.
Daddy loved his family great,
four boys now grown straight.

Richard you’ll be missed today
for the wealth of your integrity.
We know no one is perfect
but you came close and yet,
you’ll live on in our hearts,
alive in our minds in us a part.

I’ll miss your sweet breath,
your face, your smile, you left
your indelible mark on our lives.
How you worked to keep family ties.
You said to love and forgive all
when we don’t feel like it at all.

For twenty-seven years we went
through turmoil and problems sent.
We learned to put thing behind,
to go forward and not be blind,
to see our children as beautiful
to fill them with dreams useful.

To make ones life a testament
of courage, hope and work spent,
not wasted, not for one second.
You will always be my love sent.
Your open arms, your open heart,
made me weep from the start.

When cancer tried to take him,
he fought to live, not to give in.
But all our prayers did prove
our God was able to move
all of heaven to ring him help
for brothers’ fellowship dealt.

With loving arms he came and
with loving arms left his name.
When looking up to the sky,
he saw angels coming by.
We look up and want to say,
“We love you Richard, each and every day.”