No Greater Hero

Struggling through the Great Depression Growing up fatherless in the care of a loving aunt Losing her husband, his weary mother could not cope Working for the Civilian Conservation Corps Trying to support his family Attending school at night to provide a better life Playing his sax and clarinet Resounding notes of joy cast blessings Filling our home with happiness many children never know Loving eyes and deep, gentle voice Drawing admiration from all who came to know him Speaking softly, never in harsh tones Accepting life’s challenges Forgiving when his children seemed ungrateful Nurturing, caring, standing by our sides Picking us up when we fell Offering support in every endeavor Being the kind of father he never had Teaching us to work hard and achieve Reminding us that life offers no guarantees Encouraging us to rebound from challenges as “come-back kids” Gathering at his hospital bedside New Year’s Day 2009 Astonishing nurses with the depth of our love Never leaving his side, three grown children rested hands upon his Lingering six days in a coma, perhaps his soul already in heaven Speaking to him, hoping he could hear Wanting him to feel our love one last time Siblings who rarely agreed Concurring just this once Feeling blessed by our father, the brightest star we see in heaven * Dedicated to my father, Arthur Schwarz, who died January 6, 2009