Life is often interesting,
In its’ diversity, scope, and depth,
And the impact made upon us,
Can sometimes take our breath.

I am a product of Catholic education,
So many years ago,
My faith was memorized in my youth;
That was all that I needed to know.

Just beyond adolescence,
I began to question all I had been taught,
It became the truth about my God,
That I fervently sought.

Faith matters,
More than the food
That fills our bowl,
For life is surely eternal,
And it is faith that nourishes our soul.

The journey has been a long one,
With disappointments along the way,
For there are many who will lie
In the name of God;
It happens each and every day.

It was a man who was born in Krakow,
Who made my conversion complete,
To the faith of my birth
I am a true disciple,
It is truth without deceit.

John Paul loved God
Above all else,
And he was devoted to Mother Mary, as well,
He was the humble leader
Of eleven billion souls,
And not once did his ego swell.

How can I describe this man,
Who was a factory worker in his youth?
By the age of twenty,
His entire family was gone,
And then he dedicated his life to the truth.

He illuminated an incandescent light,
Bright enough for the world to see,
He was a counselor to presidents and kings,
But cared as much for you and me.

John Paul watched the Nazis fall,
So too, the Politburo at home,
And for weeks before
And after his death,
The people of the world
Flocked to Rome.

John Paul taught us not to be afraid,
By nurturing a strong faith
Within our souls,
And he taught us also
How to gracefully suffer,
As we lovingly watched him grow old.

The Pontiff forgave the man who tried to kill him,
Embraced him in his loving arms,
He valiantly educated us
To treasure life,
And to all others,
We should do no harm.

The measure of his life
Still completes me,
And guides me along my way,
And still I treasure this precious man of God,
And think of him each and every day.