I don't remember if the TFO (Tryon Family Organization) reunion was coming up or if it had just passed, but he wanted to write a poem about it. At the time, he was in bed suffering the late stages of his Parkinson's disease. So I got to play scribe for the master poet who was reminiscing.
The TFO
Families gather with stories to tell
Of old days and new days and mission farewells,
Events that are coming and ones of years past.
Grandmas and grandpas make memories that last.
There's skits and there's plays and there's songs we all sing.
Boys and girls singing, their praises they bring.
Who was the young man that entered the door
With a smile on his face and many much more?
The mothers and babes and grandmas so proud
"This is our missionary," they say out loud.
"My son spent some time," we heard one father say,
"We're going to miss him. He leaves home today."
We are proud of our family, I'm sure it will grow.
We send the best and the world must know,
The battle back home we'll continue to fight
With our hearts broken and spirits contrite.
When the TFO is strong on your side,
We can walk down the street side by side.
He wasn't done with the poem, but we never got to finish. I'll never forget my time with him.
Miss you, Grandpa.
Love,
Jannie
