My Brother in law passed away some years ago now. As in so many families I realised that I only really began to know him in latter years of his life. I wrote this as an epilogue

RAYMOND
RAYMOND.
That quiet smile and voice to match,
The knowing glint in his eyes,one would catch,
The dry remark of wit, so quick and yet so apt,
This was Raymond
.
Ready to help in time of need,
The call of others, he'd always heed.
Quietly doing tasks, that others would leave,
This was Raymond.

A man respected in all walks of life,
At home, at work, in church, outside
In his everyday living, with Christian pride,
This was Raymond.

A God given gift he held in his hands,
Used so widely to further both mans,
And Gods world, with beautiful art,
This was Raymond.

We have known him well, as both family and friend,
Someone we loved and knew that we could depend,
On him, for so many things, he showed he cared.
This was Raymond.

Vale dear friend, the memories stay,
With each of us, in our own way.
We remember with gladness and to ourselves say.
This was Raymond.

John W