dear pappy

words are too small 

too inadequate

to capture the essence of somebody so great

so loved

so loving

on tuesday

our beloved dad, pappy, joe

went to be with the Lord

we are grieving, but without regret

because with pappy, words were not left unspoken

love and affection poured out of him

joe's investment in mark continued until the very last

and he has left a legacy

of integrity, of reckless love--willing to risk loss to himself to give to others

--he was the kindest, warmest of men

no doubt he finished the race well

he lived a life poured out

and has now entered into the rest of his heavenly father

the loss is great

the boys miss their pappy

mark misses his dad--more than words or tears can convey

and i will miss the man who loved me from the first without condition

someday we will meet again

and i can't wait to hear

'and how is amy, my dear'

.we love you.