neil.

he is a wiry man,
transparent skin wraps itself tightly
over his body
as to not let his pronounced bones escape.
I often see him with just a simple
white or black t shirt,
feet planted firmly together-
i often wonder if he will topple over
he never has.
His voice is not loud, but it is strong,
it is heard, 
understood, 
and does not waver.
He speaks truth and scripture 
with a steady confidence
He is a fount of knowledge and wisdom
we have learned much
from this upright man.
He is creative and witty
He doodles and yet is well spoken.
He is an author and a thespian.
He rubs elbows with the respected, 
the elite,
yet takes time 
to converse with the likes of us.
He took the time to sit at a table with us,
share a meal
and look us in the eye.
He encouraged and shed light 
on the laughter and joy
he witnesses in our marriage
he assured us he would never forget us
as we clung to our last moments with this honored man.
He has taught us what it means to be small.
To set aside loftiness, 
the affirmation of men,
and the desire to be esteemed,
and kindly told us he never signs his books
[that he wrote.]
any credit is given to the Almighty,
and this made us love him more. 
We will miss him deeply,
[he is headed to Oxford, England 
to water a tiny seedling of 
a church.]
yet we are so thankful for the 
friendship and wisdom he shared.
He was a gift to us,
and we will not soon forget 
the man inside the black t shirt
with firmly planted feet..