In Dedication To My Father...

Photo by Mari at 365 days

Dad always loved the outdoors,
so it is natural for me to think of him
as a tall, strong, oak tree,

with a thick trunk of integrity
 standing tall in his beliefs

branching out in quiet confidence,
leaves of grandeur, protecting us,
as much as leaves can, until winter...
for we had to learn on our own.

he always said to listen to our inner voice...
solid advice to each of us,
as we circled within our lives,
growing, expanding,
like the rings of a tree,
showing its age...of our lessons learned...

still, as an adult,
hearing his voice reminding me
of what he taught,
gentle whispers
like a breeze fluttering the leaves...

 always an example,
with his quiet wisdom,
calm inner peace...

his willingness to listen,
 instilled an individual sense of importance...

now is the dormant season for my father...
his dementia and Alzheimer's
have taken the best of his life,
 leaving him with his belief in God
as his beautiful horizon;
of which he slowly moves closer to each day...
thankfully, still remembering us,
 knowing the day will come,
when we will be friendly strangers...
life goes on, the winter winds blow,
sometimes too cold,
freezing out the strong life,
once bringing forth new, fertile growth,
making it brittle,
 laden under the burden of lifeless branches,
to break and fall,
becoming part of the earth...
memories are
all we have;
making most
of the moments...
for as long as
 we have...
closing my
 eyes, thinking
of my father
my vision
will always
see a majestic,
tall, strong oak
 tree...

I love you Dad.

~dkb~