A Tribute to My Father by Bob Johnson

We sat high in the tree…safe
Supreme and protected.
We pressed close to the man and
Felt the same free feeling.

The roots of that great tree went deep to secure a strong foundation
The man grew up in his community spreading his ideas thoughts and hopes with others.

The leaves of the tree danced a melody of life in
The wind…The same song surrounded the
Man, and his family always.

The tree was the center of the festive backyard holidays
Tossing shade playfully over the children who
Romped below. The man was there, too,
Watching, laughing and enjoying those
who shared in the moment.

The tree discarded its leaves and useless twigs letting us know of yet another
Passing season.
The man let us grow in years of gentle
Responsibility, discarding parenting duties
And passing them to us as we may
Determine my own desires.

The weather battered and twisted
That old tree, starving it of moisture
Or casting a frost at a moment’s notice,
But it survived.
The man, too, watched with keen eyes as nature determined blossoms
Or destruction as he survived each passing juncture of time also.

The tree proudly watched the family grow, new chapters reveal themselves, and the hopes and dreams
Being pursued. The man viewed with interest how our lives unfolded, and was always there for us.

As we grew older and came back to visit, the tree was a familiar landmark to look for, and find…., we looked for a man’s calm and comforting face, too, and found it.

Disease and age are a facet of life. We were there in the last years and knew that time
Was no longer a friend.

The backyard has no shade, the area is blank and plain. The spreading arms of comfort
And love have been cut down.

There, too, is an emptiness in our life. The man is gone but the memories will always remain.  We loved them both……and will miss them