Father

My father died last week
It was quite sudden
Not expected at all
I had to take the call
While he was in the midst
Of resuscitative efforts
His neighbor found him down
Upon the ground
Just going out to get the paper
Not expecting to encounter the reaper
They worked on him for twenty minutes
At the hospital, an hour more
To no avail, he could not be saved
I think now of the things he gave
To us left behind
Our hopes and thoughts
Some simple values we had been taught
Gratitude the most of all
Fortitude, not giving up
Respect for life, despite pain and strife
Overcoming addiction
Or any affliction
Working hard, taking pride
In the result of effort
Build esteem inside
Yet humble in the face of it all
A sense of humor
The value of a nice phone call
True concern for one another
The tears I shed 
Allow me to grieve
Remembering his gentle nature
In a better place I want to believe
Pray for God to guard his soul
I miss his voice
If I had a choice
I would want him here
Let him know how dear
I hold him in my heart
That time has now gone by
Grateful that he knew how much 
I loved him, despite
Any past mistakes
He might have made
Too late now to make it up
Fortunately he did while there was still time
Not easy to convey with simple rhyme
The care and concern
Friendship that has been lost
I go on now
Embraced by family and friends
I see the need to cherish them
Make priority those relationships
Find time to reconnect
The quality of this life
Shared together is much better
Through both joy and pain
Clouds and rain
Sunny days and clear nights
I miss you Dad
Perhaps we can meet again
In another life or on another plane
Thanks for what you did
With you I will forever live