my pap

this man was an amazing man
he lived a long life
and he lived it
devoted to the ones he loved

i remember going to his house
i loved hearing him talk
he'd tell us stories of the war
and the time he spent in the navy

when i grew up
so did he
with each passing year
we saw each other get older

i used to cut his grass
cut the hedges
clean up after that loud dog
until he had to go

I'd visit him in the nursing home
visit him in the hospital
every time I'd visit
I'd tell him to hang in there

4 types of cancer
pnemonia and ulcers
it was all starting
to wear him down

but still he fought
and battled through it
he surprised us all
time and time again

i felt so bad for the  man
missing his wife
my grandmother
which we buried a year before

he used to go to church
each and every Sunday
a true catholic he was
and a true Irishman as well

i remember that day
i went to visit him
the doctors said less
that 24 to live

a day to spend with him
each passing hour i dreaded
I've lived my life with this man
how could i say goodbye

but then the next day
out of I.C.U.
he surprised us again
and fought through it again

i knew it would come
one day in the future
when I'd have to say goodbye
and let him go again

but until that day came
each and every chance
you'd see me in that hospital
sitting by his bed

one day by his bed
trying to help him out
the pneumonia wont go away
it just seems to be getting worse

i fought through the tears
fought to hold them back
that look in his eyes
the care I've seen before

when it was time to leave
i gave him a hug
and told him again
just hang in there... I'll be back tomorrow

well tomorrow never came
we got the call that night
i had gone to bed early
just to be awakened by my dad

i had been given the news
10:00 at night
he's in a better place
but still he'll be greatly missed

I'll always remember the man
and the care that he showed us
the strength that he showed us
and the never ending love

above all others
I'll remember his lasts words
i love you to my mother
thanks for all the help to me

i was the last to see him
the last one to visit
before the angels came
to take him away

no longer in pain
in a better place
he's with all those we've missed
and watching over those he loved

carrying his casket
was an honor to me
full military honors
and thanks from those he helped

I'm honored to follow in his footsteps
a navy man I've become
hoping to serve my country
just as he done

a firefighter I'll be
to lend a helping hand
something he wanted to see
and something he's passed on

the care that he showed others
the respect, and the care
something i learned from him
and something that i will pass on

he showed me not to care
about anything anyone says
to care for those i care for
and to respect those i do not

the lessons he helped teach
will always be there
maybe one day I'll pass it on
to grandchildren of my own

but until that day comes
I'll take it one at a time
living the way he lived
and remembering the times together

remembering those summers
making milkshakes in the kitchen
remembering the winters
and complaining about the cold

remembering the long days
i spent at his house
remembering the childhood
the memories left at that house