Uncle Jack,"
I told the kindergarteners,
The secret angels who
Had showered me with
Valentine treats.
Out of my memory box
I selected the funeral flag,
The one given to me when
Taps were played,
To explain that Jack
Was a soldier,
And proud that he could serve.
I pulled out a red apron,
Still stained with flour residue
From baking bread,
To explain that Jack was a
Master chef.
I searched till I found the
Picture he had painted,
The one which had our initials
Carved in a heart
On a tree ,
To explain that he was
An artist.
I poked through the box
To find the knife he had
Created, blade
Handle and all,
To explain that he
Was a craftsman.
I found the small fish
I had tucked inside,
To explain that Jack was a
Fantastic fisherman,
And that we ate the ones
That didn't get away.
I carefully pulled out his Bible
To explain that he loved
Jesus most of all,
And that he also
"Fished" for men.
I pointed out the necklace
Around my neck
And the ring on my finger with
The sapphire stone he had
Rescued from a monkey's mouth,
To explain that it pleased him
To give me gifts.
I saved our picture and the little
Bear for last, the one I made
From Jack's plaid shirt,
To explain
That when I see it on my
Dresser, I always
Think of him.
We closed by singing
"This Is The Day",
The children and I,
Because it was our special
Song,
And because every day is one
He has made,
And we can rejoice no
Matter how we feel.
We ended the song with
Jack's special flourish,
"Da-da-da-da-da-da-
Yah!" because Jack
Was full of fun.
I told the young ones
That even though I miss him,
I'm glad he no longer hurts.
And I told them we don't need to
Be afraid to die,
Because it's just going
Home.
And then I quietly placed
Jack's life
Back in the box.