You took our son Lord the other day
and I didn't even get to say goodbye.
You took our son Lord leaving me lost
without even a reason why.
I wasn't ready to let go
I hadn't said yet what I wanted to say,
and yet I'm expected to go on...
Please Lord take this pain away.
Yet you took your son back to you
again it was by surprise,
and now we wait for His return
to one day look in his His eyes.
So let them come together Lord
both your son and mine
to meet me when I come to greet you
when it is my time.
Keep Chad safe, let him be happy in your home above,
and please Lord don't forget to tell him
that he was always loved...

This poem was written for my "adopted son", Chad Faulkner, my neighbor who was 20 years old and murdered on April 24, 2001. I didn't know what else to say to his mother, Janelle, then to write this poem. Chad was her only son. This poem sat on top of Chad's casket at the viewing and during the day of the funeral with pictures of him around it. I just want him to know how much he is loved and missed each and every day. Now one year later although it has been only 365 days it seems like it has been 3650.

(You can read more about Chad and what a remarkable young man he was in my new book "Passing Thoughts" in the story "Life On Limewood" available now at www.bn.com, www.amazon.com & www.neighborhoodpress.com)

We love you Paco and know that you are with us everyday!!