Honoring Grandpa

I honor my Grandpa

A man I dearly loved

Who gave me a great gift

One I treasure

Beautiful music

He was an imperfect man

Groping for answers

And in his confusion

And he hurt me very deeply

What he did

Was truly awful

But I forgive him

I bless him

And I remember him well

For all the good he did to me

Big pink "horsepills"

Riding on his shoulders

Scratching his goatee

Summers in the mountains

The fresh smell of the ponderosas

Hikes and working together

Yosemite

The love of the mountains

And music, always the music

Oh, he had gift

What beautiful songs he wrote

And a voice like waters

A Yosemite waterfall

Deep, rich and resounding

Full of life

To penetrate the soul

And he passed it on to us

All his progeny have the gift

I was blessed

He taught me to sing

Ten years I studied with him

At least one day a week

More than any of the others

Of his beloved grandchildren

Who were blessed to study with him

And he loved me for it

"Oh, I love you, Stevo!"

He would say

So full of gratitude

That I wanted his best offering

The best part of his legacy to his family

His art, his greatest passion

How blessed am I

So grateful that he gave me so much good

Things so rich and treasured

By which I can remember him

And in time

Be free of the great wound

That he gave me in his confusion

I forgive him

I love him, I honor him

I am so grateful to know

He is at peace

On his deathbed he repented

And went forever to live with his Maker

One day I will see him there

And carry on my friendship

With this dear man I love

And honor

Stephen Pursell, 10/14/14,

in honor on F. J. Pursell,

my beloved grandfather