With Honors

   WITH HONORS

My grandpa he is brave
My grandpa he is smart
My grandpa is a good kind man
My grandpa is all heart

Now that I got that out,
if I could please, just let me draw,
a picture of my hero,
I'm proud to call grandpa

"Not a finer man to know"
I've heard so many say
For the years I've sat and listened
As friends speak of him each day

You will never find a kinder man
Who's more so deep in love
With the woman that he married
They just always rose above

They had no time for bickering
I'm sure they've had a fuss or two
But 70 years I'm talking about
They've earned a fight or two

For years I've heard the story
How grandpa asked gram out
Not some slick smooth talking salesman
Just a humble man that had no doubt

That he was asking out his future
Taking out his wife
He was making her his rock
For him to build upon his life

"Where would I be without her?"
So many times I've heard him say
Always answering his own question,
"NO WHERE!" he'd proudly say

The greatest couple I admire
Their perseverance through the years
The highs, the lows, the in betweens,
They have had there share of tears

My grandpa went to war
Served his country with honor in the fight
He had our good Lord on his side
They spoke each and every night

I've knelt beside my grandpa
I have often heard him pray
As if he's talking to an old, old friend
That guides him every day

In business what a guy
Never met one to disagree 
Guess that's what happens when you have grace
Treating others with respect and honesty

If you were to ask my gramp
"Are things the way you hoped they'd be?"
He'd say "I wouldn't have changed a thing,
all is well with me"

As for me I just know different
There's so much I'd wish to change
More time with him, and less at work
I'd wish to rearrange

It always seem to be too late
When we figure this life out
What I'd give for one more fishing trip
My God, that's what life's about!

So much more I should have given him,
How can I possibly repay,
I owe my life to this fine man
In every single way

So for me I know my path
I know what I will do
I will teach my son what he taught me
We'll walk together in grandpas shoes

I know it just won't happen
Half the man gramp is I'd gladly be
But I'll ask my son to try twice as hard
Then he'll be twice as good as me.

I hope that gramp is proud of me
I know I've done my best
His morals and his ethics
I will never lay to rest

He is the finest man
I will ever get to know
And gramp I'll promise you just one thing
I will never let you go. 

            All my love, T