61 Years & Counting

My Mom and Dad,
Bob and Verna,
Tried and true,
Two of a kind,
A perfected pair;
What can be said of a legacy so strong?

Mom, a courageous adapter
Bearing her children so late.
Always prim and proper,
With her hair neatly pinned up into place,
Wearing crisp dresses for daily domestic duties,
While sporting smooth nylons with thick heeled, cinnamon shoes.
Yet, breaking the mold at times,
When donning her daughter's pants and tee shirt
For her horseback riding debut,
Or when making her initial splash with stylish swimwear
Into a steamy jacuzzi at age sixty-five, no less.
Mom, never gave up,
Proven by hiking miles of mountainous terrain,
Tested by three distinct personalities
And committed to pray them completely through life,
Mom, the courageous adapter. . .

Dad, the consistent encourager
Skipping round the world with his four year old girl
Flying by his hand and heart,
Cheering at basement ball games to ringside seats in gyms.
He was one to enjoy all of God's creation,
From touching thick seedy licks of a cow
To scratching the ears of numerous dogs, too many to count.
Dissecting a flowery array while in marvel of His heavenly Maker's hand,
Echoing the encouraging call when storm clouds rolled,
"I believe it's breaking, boys!"
Daily reassurance given that
"Greater is He that is in you than he who is in the world,"
"The joy of the Lord is your strength,"
Dad, the consistent encourager. . .

Yes, 61 years and counting
More years than many a life,
Mom and Dad
Most faithful prayer warriors
For their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
Never too tired to bend before the Almighty
Just one more time on behalf of their loved one,
Yes, even for the wayward soul,
Always rejoicing as all of their descendants safely returned to the fold.

61 years and counting
A fulfillment of a promise long ago,
Thank you Lord, for Mom and Dad . . .

(Your daughter remembers the treasures you gave,
8/12/36-8/12/97)