April 15, 2008
The Gift
To Mom and Dad
in awareness of all they are
Growing up Rhebergen
seemed no different than Smith
Mom and Dad,
like all the others,
but belonging to me
Church was just what we did on Sunday
instead of work
Faith was firm, sincere,
but wasn’t everyone’s?
Our whole family loved God
and by extension, the world
Nothing different about us,
just two parents
raising their kids,
for decades
Then the letter
after years of rooms
filled with kids and friends
and eyes pop open
to see the gift Home was
(and is)
Steadfast faith, regardless.
Love, patience, kindness always.
Who knew the impact on us
on our friends,
even as it happened
Yet now we see
you saved our lives
you saved others’ lives
The sanctuary of your home
your gift to us
and to our friends
Truly
you are the gift of God