An ode to Larry

At Christmas, I sometimes sit back and think of all the gifts I have in my life...people are the best gift of all and God has blessed me with a LOT of those gifts. One of those gifts was Larry Miller. He is in my mind and heart especially today because he passed away a couple of days ago. One thing Larry and I had in common, besides singing, was poetry. He used to email me poems, or just hand me one at church. They were usually silly...sometime a bit naughty, but they were so special to me and made me smile. I have kept them all in a little book of poetry I keep near to me. I told Larry that I was going to publish a book of his poetry someday. He liked that idea and even asked me about it a few weeks ago. While I have not accomplished that yet, I thought I would share one of Larry's poems with you, and one of the ones I wrote for him a few years ago.

What is Christmas?
By Larry Miller (Sent to me and my husband - 2010)

Christmas is a time for giving.
It's also a time to share.
It's a time for family.
It's a time to care.

People always wear a smile.
They are as happy as can be.
What a beautiful holiday season.
What can be the reason.

We celebrate the birth of Christ
On this December day.
So, let us keep remembering
To give thanks and to pray.

We love you, God.
We love your Son.
Merry Christmas to you both,
And peace to everyone.

Ode to a great man named Larry

By Linda Hatfield (2016)

Have you ever known a man 

Who touched your heart and made you smile?

A man whose heart is open wide

And always goes the extra mile?

Well, I know such a man

Who is as ornery as can be.

Uncle Larry, he is known by some.

And he is very dear to me.

He has a song on his lips

And God in his heart.

He puts his words into rhymes,

He's just that clever and smart.

I have collected his poems

And put them in a book.

I pull them out sometimes

When I need a more positive outlook.

Larry is loved by his family

And the rest of us  do adore.

His jokes and cards can be a bit naughty,

But laughter always has us on the floor.

Speaking of cards, he sends them,

No matter the day or season.

It's a joy to open and read them,

And possibly hide them for some reason!

I wanted to write this poem

In honor of my friend Larry.

He makes me smile and I love him.

In my heart his joy I will always carry.

My dear friend, Larry, I know that you are breathing freely, singing, cracking wise, and making up some heavenly poetry now. That thought makes me so very happy. But, I will miss you and will hold your poems even more dearly. Thank you, Lord, for bringing Larry, and his wife Kay, who is also my dear friend, into my life. They are truly gifts to me.