Never lost or forgotten; you were always there
Perhaps misplaced like a favorite pen or a worn address book
Taking a more fervent search to locate
At times more patience or diligence or even a special secret code would help me to locate my beloved father
Others did not know that it only took the touch of your comforting hand or the warmth of your smile to find you
Never far, I could simply peer into your smiling brown eyes find you
Heaven’s very light danced in your brown eyes
Your loving tenderness never stolen by that butcher of memory that persecuted your precious mind
Your devotion to my mother and to your church could not be tainted by the disease
It mattered not that you had webs that slowed the memories in your mind, forgetting who you were or why you could not recognize your home; we could still summon our father’s love with a warm embrace or just by being in your beautiful presence
I could see the smile of Jesus Christ and feel the embrace of God just by holding your hand; you never failed me, not even once. Even in your broken condition, you continued to give me strength and courage
You gave me the gift of love and grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and I marveled at the sweet love you continued to speak of for our mother like a smitten young boy up until the very end of your earthly journey
The tools of faith and patience and love helped to cut through the fog that consumed you
And through the Fog, I could see your soul
James 1:12~ “Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love HIM
In memory of James Louis Allen 12-19-1930 to 10-12-2015
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