Easter Day at the Hospital

May I always remember
That small visit on that gray Easter?
Entering hushed, smiling, kissing
That pale cheek and grizzled head,
Now softer, gentler,
Worn with mortality and suffering.
The rich deep voice,
Thinner now, parched with feeling
Bravery in the touch of his hands
Humility in the sag of his skin.
There monitors tell of an unruly heart
Pulsing, skipping,
Missing beats in the old chest,
That we didn't think was so old
Till heart and brain
Halt and strain
And a week goes by in which we all
Must wait, and cry.
He faces surgery, great pain and fear
While updates fly and 
Dear man, we pray, don't die!

Now he accepts cards
Written with small hands and great love
He opens a box with a pale purple egg
Dyed only for him
And he smiles so sweet 
And loves so big
That tears swell
Through smiles that tell 
Of thoughts too long for words.
But we can feel his heart in that smile, 
His strength in that weakness
And his future in that scar
Large and neat, 
and shocking us still.
We gather our flock 
And softly slide the door
Leaving him there
To fight and heal
Keep faith and hope 
While away we steal.

Oh Grandbob, we say, 
Come home soon!