The Sixth of July

I always thought the movie lines about departed loved ones "living on" inside of us was cheesy and over-used... but even though a year has passed since my incredible grandfather passed on, I still feel and speak as if he's alive all the time. Here's to a great man and his great legacy.

They set a tent into the ground

to hold the generations

And Jacob, leaning on his staff

was making preparations.

He hoed his prize tomato plants

and fell into his bed

And to his side flocked from afar

the ones that he had led.

O Jacob, rock and patriarch

He never died alone

His children sang out in the yard

of his great cornerstone

He held on till the youngest came

He blessed them to the last

And children ran around the tent

The hour that he passed.

I felt your fingers squeeze my hand

I sang for you, a fading man

We served the banquet that you planned

As tribute to your life

O wizened one, you paved the way

in dying as in living

You left us with a final feast

God saw it only fitting

Surrounded by the ones you loved

No better way to go

And Judah, when he left the tent

Took up his father's hoe.