This poem would't fall into place. As I worked on it this morning it took a surprising turn and touched me deeply. I tried to read it to my wife and couldn't because of the tears.

My father died at the age of 51 in an accident and I didn't get to watch him age. I hope this ministers to you half as much as it has ministered to me in the writing of it.

When he was a baby they would say
“he looks like his dad in every way.”
As the years went on they always said
He looks so much like his dad.

When he went to school he studied hard
and was popular on the school yard.
He was active in everything they had
and they said he looked like his dad.

After college he started his career
with his dad there to clap and cheer.
In his job he was not half bad
and they said he looked like his dad


He worshipped his dad for all he had done
and how he had helped him to grow.
But soon aging began to show on dad’s face
and the son did not accept this with grace.
Dad’s hair had departed and the rest was gray
and the boy shrugged at what they would say.
It was not that he lost respect for his dad
but the comparison did not make him glad.
He was reminded he too would get old
and every part of his body became cold.
Still they said he looked like his dad.

But as he continued to receive that love
from his father in his senior years.
He saw his own life from a different view
and this helped him release his fears.
He could embrace his own future as well
and once again he swelled up in pride
A pride that helped him when his father died
and they said he looked like his dad.