On this date in history
A mere seven years ago
Our mum lost a husband and we a father
Such a wonderful man to know.
Was without adequate warning
Or so we had at first believed
While Dad was at the sink washing up
Came the indication of his last meal.
It was at this time he felt unwell
Just after the regular Sunday lunch
But to think that this would be the end
Not one of us even had a hunch.
He was taken to Bay View hospital
And his recovery was quite remarkable
To the extent he would be kept over night
Just to ensure the end of his trouble.
At 2:00 a.m. according to a nurse
As on each hour they would check
He was fine and with her had chatted
On his death not one would dare to bet.
But at 3:00 a.m. when she had returned
He was dead as dead can be
Dad Russell without prior indication
Had been ushered into eternity.
Even now it is still difficult to fathom
Why he would go just like that
For he would always kiss our mum
When he was going away to come back.
Perhaps this was one of the signs
Such a hope would have been misleading
For he was never that kind of a man
To impress he was not returning.
Another thing we should have noted
Were the specifics with Mum he shared
About where she could find most everything
When the occasion of his demise appear.
He was an extremely organized person
Even down to shelling an egg
He would eat the white and leave the yolk
And a drink he would never imbibe the dregs.
Oft I would watch him as he sat at breakfast
He was as meticulous as they come
And he would methodically eat that meal
Though often leaving back some.
Like he was in life perhaps he was in death
Having with the Lord planned his home going
And not wanting to be a burden or a worry
Determined to go without any of us knowing.
I am still struggling after seven years
To come to grips with this event
But I am exceedingly grateful to Almighty God
For the eighty-seven years here he spent.
Some call them unsung heroes
And I suppose to the wider world they are
But to those that really knew them
They are icons; they are ever shining stars.
Such is our dad and our mother’s spouse
For though deceased yet he lives still
A memory to treasure and to keep hope alive
And in the midst of sorrow produce a thrill.
An icon, a star, a hero, a gift
An earthly treasure equalled but unsurpassed
A calling and an election sure no doubt
Is his to be had unquestionably at last.
Safe with his Saviour, his Lord and King
Ever to be remembered by us who remain
Then joined together as one heavenly throng
To be with Jesus, our Lord who forever reigns.
On this date in history seven years ago
Passed on a man the world might never know
But we knew and experienced his radiant glow
And those who got to know him will tell you so.
Stewart Russell © 2016
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