Springing and Sprinting Through Life

Each year Dad won the five-mile race Proud I was of my Senior Olympics star Always a spring in his step I followed him; he was my North Star It was during the Great Depression That Dad first learned to spring back Working on FDR’s CCC program* Finances produced no panic attack He sprang into action with fervor Determined to feed his clan Working by day, taking classes at night Dad was a remarkable man Even at 93, he managed to sprint like a teen Winning the five-mile race for the last time And he certainly kept that spring in his step Well past a normal life’s prime His stroke came suddenly New Year’s Day And our family gathered ‘round Knowing he’d not see another spring Because eternal life he’d found I like to think he bounds through heaven Still preparing for a race But feeling the comfort that can only be found Surrounded by God’s grace Entry for Carol Brown’s “Spring” contest * The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) was formed by FDR to provide work for jobless Americans.