502 SINGING AN ODE TO MY DAD ...

Good morning, everyone :)
Often times, reminders of  my mom's and dad's antics flow back and forth amongst family members, because the side of human nature, which proves naturally funny, makes us laugh, again and again ... which is good.  Today, I awoke reminiscent of cherished memories, which enrich my heart so deeply that I penned this poem in a post with thoughts of Father's Day filling my mind:

What is an ode?
An ode is a poem expressing exalted emotion
Though an ode is a poem which may be sung
Reality suggests you may not want to hear me try to carry a tune :)

So ...
With the imminent approach of Father's Day
My mind turns toward writing this poem
Describing the depth of my love for my dad

In loving memory of my lifelong friend
Imagine me walking outside, onto my patio
Where, gazing up into the bright blue sky—
Which Dad had loved so well—

I envision my father's high spirited, warm hearted smile
Shining down from the expanse of that sky above me
And in this way am I enveloped, again and again
Within the safe haven of Dad's undying affection ...

Which had protected my sense of security
From succumbing to fear
When as an innocent child ...
I’d yet to experience the ravages of life

Each time I conjure up the boundless nature
Of Dad's openness to giving and receiving love, my spirit breathes in
The adventurous joie de vie with which Dad's heart and mind
Had enjoyed countless aspects of a life well lived

Though most say:
'I hope to die in my sleep'
Dad found a more fulfilling way
To leave this world for the next

With no clue that he was about to depart this life
Dad left all sense of conscious awareness behind
While sitting on the couch, holding forth a glass of wine ...
With which he’d just toasted his 'bride' of sixty years ...

And thus did Dad breathe his last breath while kissing my mom
So, if you were to ask “Annie, what hath empowered thy spirit
With the true meaning of lasting love”, I'd reply, twas my good fortune
To experience my parents’ unconditional love throughout my life ...

Happy Father's Day, Dad
For countless reasons
I'll love you, forever and ever
And most likely even longer than that ...