[This prose was written after I conducted the funeral of my friend, my mentor, my surrogate father in the Lord. David and I visited him weeks before his death and as I move towards closing the visit in prayer, David ask, “Uncle Jim, may I say something before Dad prays?” Jim nodded. David said, “Uncle Jim, I want to thank you for all you did for my Dad. You have influenced three generations for the Lord.” The following took place after the grave side.]
The agony of temporal existence
Always longing; never fully grasping
Being loved, yet always elusive
That sense of connectedness
Your tender words at my friend’s departure
Elusiveness defied
That tender moment why you said,
“Dad, I am so sorry for the loss of your friend”
Those ten words alone agony dispelled not
But coupled with tenderness indescribable
Tears of joy
A Balm of Gilead inexplicable
Affirmed by your presence as I celebrated
A life well-lived; a friendship remembered
Your love like a laser pierced
The agony of temporal existence
Those simple ten words twice uttered
Tender compassion packaged
In that existential moment our lives connected
Father and son tethered by love