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Open Poetry #21
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Larry C
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0 posted 2002-08-07 11:35 AM



Double Checking
By Larry Chadwick
Ted Chadwick b: August 16, 1929 – d: August 6, 2002

Three boys were such bold young lads,
That strode right up to the gate.
They knocked and spoke real loud,
“Excuse me, you’ve made a big mistake.

The man you took – he was our dad,
It seems you should let him be.
If someone really had to go,
We each thought, ‘it should have been me’.”

The door had opened wide
And He stood so tall.
He spoke with a gentle voice,
And let them know “He’d meant no harm at all.

I know just what you mean
And have made that self-same plea.
I told My Father of your need,
And asked that He send Me.

But there’s something else that I must tell,
For it’s important that you should know.
So I’ll tell you now then send you back,
For it’s not your time to go.”

The boys were pleased that He had listened,
And told them exactly what they wanted to know.
So they did as they were told,
They walked away – it wasn’t their turn to go.

Their mother knew they’d made this trek,
And asked them "what they had learned instead."
Then she quietly listened,
As she tucked them into bed.

“Jesus told us ‘Dad would be okay.'
He knew exactly how we felt.
It seems He knows how this story ends,
We thought His heart would melt.”

She kissed them on the cheek
And stayed a while at their side.
Jesus had promised they’d be together – forever,
And they all knew He had not lied.

They looked into each other’s eyes,
And swore an oath for eternity.
To live just as they should,
So on the other side dad would see his family.

August 7, 2002

I woke in the middle of the night exactly 24 hours after papa died with this poem in my head. I got up and wrote it in his memory as a gift from my mom and his boys.







If tears could build a stairway and memories a lane, I'd walk right up to heaven and bring you home again.

[This message has been edited by Larry C (08-07-2002 03:20 PM).]

© Copyright 2002 Larry Chadwick - All Rights Reserved
Sunshine
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Listening to every heart
1 posted 2002-08-07 11:45 AM



Holding hands
in understanding...

come here often,
Larry, so we can
hold you close...

Enchantress
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since 2001-08-14
Posts 35113
Canada eh.
2 posted 2002-08-07 12:14 PM


I know the words said to us often pale in the shadow of grief...
still I want you to know my thoughts and prayers are with you.
May you be comforted with the belief that each time we remember,
we meet again with those we love, for the heart never forgets.
~Big hugs dear man~

serenity blaze
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since 2000-02-02
Posts 27738

3 posted 2002-08-07 12:17 PM


Larry, this is so poignant. And you, dearheart? Are amazing in your strength and dignity. Many prayers for you and your family. *hearthugs*
Martie
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4 posted 2002-08-07 12:21 PM


Larry

Grace is in every word of this poignant heart write.  Hugs!

skyshine
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Beneath the northern stars
5 posted 2002-08-07 02:36 PM


Wow... Well done, Larry. Even in times of sorrow, you still manage to write so well.

~Beth

You look inside my wild mind
never knowing what you'll find
still I want you all the time
yeah I do
'cause you get me
~Michelle Branch

Toerag
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since 1999-07-29
Posts 5622
Ala bam a
6 posted 2002-08-07 02:43 PM


Larry...what little heart I have left goes out to you...been thru everything you've been thru this last year..in double doses...know it's tough....guess the way I try to handle it is with humor.....though that's not really great lately either...but sometimes wearing a "clown's" face starts to grow on ya?....

[This message has been edited by Toerag (08-07-2002 03:06 PM).]

Kellie_Cantrell
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since 2002-05-22
Posts 1667
New York
7 posted 2002-08-07 02:46 PM


Larry-
I really don't know what to say, except that your awesome and that god is watching out for you as well as you Papa and daughter.

I have been praying daily for you. My heart is with you. I can sense the hurt in your heart because mine hurts too. I am crying and I love you all.

Godbless
Love always
Kellie

WhiteRose
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since 2002-07-23
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somebody's dungeon
8 posted 2002-08-07 02:49 PM


For a poet in sorrow sometimes words are what brings forth healing. My prayers are with you.

There are a million messages, in a million bottles, you just have to know which one to pull out of the ocean.

[This message has been edited by WhiteRose (08-07-2002 02:52 PM).]

Janet Marie
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since 2000-01-22
Posts 18554

9 posted 2002-08-07 03:40 PM


"I woke in the middle of the night exactly 24 hours after papa died with this poem in my head. I got up and wrote it in his memory as a gift from my mom and his boys."
===============================


The "traces left behind" have touched you early on and gifted you with grace of pen so that thru you...we will witness his wisdom and learn from his as his family did.
How poetically perfect that his pride and joy will do him proud in this way.
Bless you Larry

Mistletoe Angel
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10 posted 2002-08-07 08:01 PM




(tears fall down my cheeks) Oh Larry, now I am flooding with tears, this is soooooo beautiful and so very true, know always that your dad will always love you so much and He promises that he will always love you as when the time is right you will be with him again forever and ever! (big hugggssssss) This is a powerful poem I know it must have been so hard to write, sweet friend, God Bless You and your family, He understands how you feel and will never lie to you, we all love you so much! You have such a beautiful heart, sweet Larry, thank you for sharing!



May love and light always shine upon you!

Love,
Noah Eaton

"Underneath your clothes there's an endless story..."

Shakira

SmartChick
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since 2001-09-23
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On A Journey To The Unknown
11 posted 2002-08-07 10:23 PM


Oh Larry! You have been through so much in such a short time. This is a beautiful poem, but so sad. I am so sorry you have had to go through all that you have been through. I am sending you the biggest hugs (a bear hug). Know dear friend that I am thinking about you everyday.
mycafe
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since 2002-05-23
Posts 584

12 posted 2002-08-07 10:41 PM


Hugs to you Larry.

Keep counting your blessings

Madame Chipmunk
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since 2001-12-05
Posts 8296
Michigan
13 posted 2002-08-07 10:49 PM


I can see how much you are hurting, Larry...
and yet you wrote this wonderful poem for your Papa.
I admire your strength and your unselfishness so very much.
I pray every day that you can keep up your strength and that you will find some happiness in your life...
You certainly deserve some.
~ many healing hugs and prayers

Lyra

copyright2002 Lyra Nesius

"poetry is life distilled"  Gwendolyn Brooks

Suetang
Member Ascendant
since 2001-03-07
Posts 5187
Melbourne, Australia
14 posted 2002-08-07 11:44 PM


Oh, Larry.  Your beautiful words were so heartfelt in more ways than one for me.  You've made your Dad, and many others, so proud through your kind and lovely words.  My thoughts are with you.

Take care.....Sue

I am in motion
I am blue
Love is an ocean
I'm anchored in you
- Shawn Mullins

Balladeer
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15 posted 2002-08-07 11:55 PM


There's not much I can say, Larry, except may God bless you and your family...peace.
Greeneyes
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In Your Poetic Mind
16 posted 2002-08-08 12:47 PM




love to you, hugss and prayers.....
Lauren~

The ocean looks like a thousand diamonds strewn across a blue blanket
I lean against the wind pretend I am weightless and in this moment I am happy

Kethry
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since 2000-07-29
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Victoria Australia
17 posted 2002-08-08 10:05 AM


You do your father proud Larry.
Kethry

Here in the midst of my lonely abyss, a single joy I find...your presence in my mind.  Unknown



suthern
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18 posted 2002-08-09 09:08 AM


So very beautiful... so filled with love.
catalinamoon
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19 posted 2002-08-09 09:47 AM


Larry, again you touch my heart. I hope you are all doing ok. This must be a very hard time.
Hugs
Sandra

vandana
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20 posted 2002-08-09 11:11 AM


enjoy
Larry C
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21 posted 2002-08-09 11:29 AM


Hey Everybody,
Sorry I am unable to respond individually yet. We have been doing all prepartions for the funeral. That list includes: the program (Printing and folding), obituary, eulogy, two poems, power point (100 pics), scriptures and my two brothers and I are going to sing "In the Garden". Busy week but such a blessing. Thank you to all for your love and support in this trying time. Larry C (and Rob, Dave & my Mom)

If tears could build a stairway and memories a lane, I'd walk right up to heaven and bring you home again.

Larry C
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22 posted 2008-07-16 02:25 PM


Just thinking of dad today and reflecting on the immense support all of you have been over the years. Also thinking how nice it is that Ron can rebuild the hold system and keep these memories available to us.

If tears could build a stairway and memories a lane,
I'd walk right up to heaven and bring you home again.

nakdthoughts
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Between the Lines
23 posted 2008-07-16 05:23 PM



M

Sunshine
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Listening to every heart
24 posted 2008-07-16 10:17 PM


Larry...

I remember reading this...thinking of you; knowing my own losses, wondering why I couldn't be as uniquely eloquent as you...

Such a treasure to revisit these last six years...

thank you for thinking enough to post a remember...and for Maureen in responding...

so that it was brought up again for all of us to remember...




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