Dads Blessing One minute we’re here, and then we’re gone. We can’t accept, after so long, You cease to be here among us all, Your life we celebrate, it is our Fall. In the sky above and the heart within, your memory, above the noisy din, of everyday life which continues forth, Without you, your strong life force. Yet once we accept we will no longer be, In your presence and your company. We start to adapt to a new way of being Instead of hearing, living, seeing We fill the gap in our hearts and minds With loving memories of happy times. We learn to replace your smiling face, …your happy effervescence, your warm embrace All these things can’t be lost, stolen, erased, They belong to us forever you see, We call it your memory. Those things inside that linger on are where we turn now, when we hear your song. We won't be sad, we will be strong, And close our eyes and carry on. How lucky we were and we didn’t know, The depth and strength of your lifes glow. Yet now we turn to you and say, goodbye, farewell, to another day, Yes we are sad you’ve gone away. But truly Brian, you do go on Just different now, our phenomenon. The mind, the heart, the memory We close our eyes and we’ll always see Your face, your smile, your present glow So then our hearts won't feel so low. We’ll learn to stop and think of you, How you shaped us and you were the glue. Between us all that still exists, Although now it's just a longing wish. So rest your soul, you’ll always be, The one we recall so very fondly, You will live forever, eternally, Our wonderful you, on our journey. Ali Williams, November 2024