Obituary for a Real Man

His friends never knew his love

had a sound until he laughed.

Life circumstances did not

make him a man but revealed

his strong foundation

hewn with rough stones

life threw at him.

His real power

emanated when

he saw the smile

on his wife’s face,

rocked his babies

to sleep and

taught them about life -

spending time with them,

talking and teaching

playing and watching.

Generously gave

to all his time,

smile, honesty

and choices.

Could be measured by

where he stood

when times were rough.

Judge him

not by his gains

but what he gave.

He was rich

in the things

that mattered.

A real man

to be remembered

for how he lived

not how he died.

This real man

was my father.