Just A Man?

He is just a man, father of my wife; I sit watching him, fighting for his life. I feel so helpless, not knowing what to do; I can only hold his hand, help him get through. He has lived eighty-four years, every one giving his all; No matter how difficult, he always stood tall. He dedicated his life, doing what had to be done; Sacrificing his leisure, opting for work over fun. With his wife of sixty-three years, one daughter they had; Four wonderful grandchildren, who never made them sad. Great grandchildren came to them, a total of seven; Their life was perfect, their own little heaven. When she became ill, he never left her side; Sacrificing once again, taking it all in stride. Did everything for her, on this she could depend; The lengths to which he would go, there was no end. Slowly she slipped away, no more to suffer the pain; He had done all he could, never once in vain. Daughter and grand children, now they’re grown; No one left to provide for, just him all alone. Lost without her, determined to go on; Not for himself, but the sake of every one. Ready to begin life again, not wanting to be defeated; The cancer came quick.  Did it know his job was completed? Now he is the one ill, the one who needs the care; Now it is my turn, my time to be there. No doubts about my crusade, he has shown me the way; I will love and care for him, be there every day. The “Circle of Life”, so much more than a song; We care for those who cared, anything less is wrong. A lesson we must teach, the generations to come; So humanity will continue, when our time is done.Dedicated to "Abuelo"; more than just a man to me. The cancer will not get him, but the chemotherapy may. Written December 13th, 2001 © on Dec 13 2001 05:34 AM PST   18 • 12 • 1