May 6th………“PLEASE SHARE SOME THOUGHTS GRANDPA, AS YOU THINK BACK ON THE LIFE OF OUR GREAT GRANDPA RUSSELL”
POEM – “Dear Father” by N. Elliott Noorlun. In 2013, on our annual visit back to Washington State for our mother’s birthday, I stopped by Dad’s grave there in Vancouver, Washington. Every year, it was my tradition to visit Evergreen Memorial Gardens to show my respects to Dad’s memory and “talk to dad”. This is one of a number of poems I wrote of my feelings.
Dear Father I’ve come, To your grave,
To give God thanks, For all you gave,
To keep our family, Fed and warm,
Both here and on, Our family farm.
For teaching us all, To know right from wrong,
Enjoying each day’s, Fun-filled song,
That sometimes came, From a polka back when,
There was a TV show, With six fat men,
That would have us whirling, In front of you,
As you and Mom laughed, From your happy view!
How could so many years, Have transpired since the day?,
That pancreatic cancer, Held your body at sway?
As, mercifully, our Savior, Gathered you to His Home,
No more in pain, No more to roam.
“And you know, Dad, as a mortal, I just have to say”,
“That I still deeply miss you, To this very day”!!!
Norwegian Farmer's Son 