Just Yesterday

Just yesterday

You were traveling

To and from Germany

As a missionary

Nearly irresponsibly faithful.

 

Just yesterday

I was in my

Pink swimsuit

And we were swimming,

Doing laps

Around your neighborhood pool.

 

Just yesterday

I was helping you

And the mail team

As the mascot,

Packing things for camps

And Christmas,

Celebrating team members'

70th

And 80th

And 90th

Birthdays

With cake.

 

Just yesterday

I learned

"Here's the barn,

Here's the steeple,

Open the doors,

Here are all the people!"

 

Just yesterday

You went on a flight

With fellow veterans

And hearing

"Mail call!"

Made you smile.

 

Just yesterday

You were swimming

And cross-country skiing

As if you were

70 years younger.

 

Just yesterday

You were serving

In the prayer room,

Part of the mail team,

At the GLS

When doctor's orders

Were for you

To sit

But you couldn't

Sit still.

 

Just yesterday

You were

Making calls

To German friends

So loudly,

I had to speak up.

 

Just yesterday

You were

Chopping wood,

Strong as an ox,

When everyone

Around you

Told you

To put the ax down

And rest.

 

Just yesterday

You delivered

My birthday present

To my doorstep

Without your walker

Like the stubborn man

You are.

 

Then

Your heart was

So full,

Your

Heart attacked but

You wouldn't stop

Or slow down.

Helping people

Was hurting you.

You lived

To serve.

 

Today,

I have to say goodbye

For the last time.

•

•

•

The man who had dessert for breakfast and breakfast for dessert,

The man who would play board games with me for hours on end,

The man who would sit me down with Veggie Tales while at the Seeds bookstore,

The man who has served God and others since he was born and did until he died,

The man who had enough faith to move a mountain range,

The man who is rejoicing in Heaven.

My grandpa.

"God loves a cheerful giver." -2 Corinthians 9:7

 

 

(1/8/2022)