The swirling snow, upon the wind,
As I say farewell to my friend…

Soothes my heart in some small way,
And I hardly feel the cold this day.

It must have been a day such as this,
Maybe it was snow, maybe the mist…

When you were born so long ago…
But now it’s goodbye, amidst the snow.

A strong man, a gentle man, you have ever been,
In our brief encounter, you became my friend.

For it seems I have always known you somehow,
Though the years were denied us, giving only the now.

Would that we had laughed, and shared those times,
But fate denied us living in those climes.

You were a dancer, and smiler, too,
Oh, how I wish I had seen that from you.

Your flowing white hair, so clean and bright,
Stirred the hearts of thy ladies both day and night.

I think of you so long ago,
Flying over distant lands…you are my hero.

Strange, it seems, I can see your youth,
And I can see your spirit, and that’s the truth.

You worked so very hard all your life,
To provide for your children, and lovely wife.

Such sacrifice and giving, day by day,
You were a man, who would never sway.

Your daughter often played at your feet,
Her innocence, and love, ever so sweet.

Though you fought your slumber, she received your smile,
Yes, my friend, you always went the extra mile.

Hard work, devotion, and purpose, too,
These describe just a bit of you.

Thy son is such a serious man,
Sensitive, and righteous, he makes his stand.

He is a lot like you, I perceive,
In his caring, and strength, I do believe.

And of your wife, what can I say,
On this, her most torturous day…

Your love was shared always, and true ,
And she has always been in love with only you.

A lifetime you spent, through good times and bad,
But you were the only love that she ever had.

And with the passing of the years,
You were as One with her, through laughter and tears.

You can be proud of your life’s success…
As a husband, and father, you were the best.

I have stroked your face, and held your hand,
Caressed your brow, with my trembling hand.

I feel that you knew my feelings for you,
Even though each other, we hardly knew.

I remember the times that our eyes would meet,
And somehow our spirits then would greet.

I have known a part of you, my new found friend,
And I thank God I was with you towards the end.

But it is not really the end, I know,
For our beginning is just starting to grow.

For we have made a bond, you and me,
That shall last through all eternity.

I promised you that I would care for your wife,
As well as your daughter, all my life.

You needn’t worry about them at all, ever.
For I shall be with them, and forsake them never.

Jim, you are my friend, and father too,
And I have come to love you, yes, it’s true .