Ed's Poem

Ed Gallagher Dec. 11, 1907 - Sept. 5, 2004

This poem was written for Ed Gallagher, a good friend and neighbour on the day his wife called me to let me know that he was in the hospital and wasn't expected to live. I was asked by the family to read this at the gathering after the funeral service and copies were given to all his family members.

It is important to recognize that we will miss our loved ones, despite the fact that they have lived to a good age, and especially when they die young.

People will say
That you lived a good life
You had many years
With your kids and your wife.

You lived a good life
Yes, it is true
But that doesn't mean
We won't miss you.

The sound of your voice
The pace of your step,
These are things
We won't forget.

Your years on the farm
Were not spent in vain
You raised quite a crew
Through your toil and strain.

Though your sight and your hearing
Had begun to dim
Your mind was as sharp
As a tack or a pin.

Your head was filled
With all kinds of facts
Sports, people, farming,
Living life to the max.

When I came to visit
You expected a hug
And a simple kiss
On your smiling mug.

The light in your eyes
When you talked with a friend,
Those are the memories
That will never end.

You will be missed
Of that there's no doubt
And we'll think of you often
When we're out and about.

Or when we are watching
A game on tv
And hear them announcing
He scores, or strike three.

You lived a good life
Yes that is true.
But that doesn't mean
We won't miss you!

copyright September 2004