He was a man of few words But I learned all I could By his calm demeanor Like a faithful man should We didn’t share blood But my Grampa he always will be And when in my teens revolted He opened his door to me He came to see me march With Mom, step dad and others It was the Proudest day of my life With my Navy band of brothers I saw him stand and salute They all honored me with their love In the parade hall we all stood tall And thanked the blessed Lord above They released us to visit with them Happiness and pride filled my heart But I didn’t show them the appreciation regretfully distracted did not do my part He looked at me unlike ever before Disappointed As I waved to them goodbye Liberty was calling out my name When I saw the tear streaming from his eye I should have spent more time I never heard him say it aloud He never told me you are mine But I knew that he was still proud I’d give anything to go back to that day And do it all over again There’s So much I’d like to say About How stupid I was then He’s gone now from this world Went home to the best place their is Where all the people he ever loved Surrounding him are his I miss the quiet man His calm kindness and his way How I always felt small next to him But also felt safe, I would say If he could hear me now I’d tell him how much I do miss him and I love him And sorry what I put him through I’d only ask one question One that would echo through my shroud Of self doubt, shame, and regret Do I still make you proud of me now?