Dear John By Me (Hollie) 041701 There's a saying that young people say sometimes. "He's like a second father" Because of my family, I can't say that. I have a first and second father Due to love lost, then found again. There's no shame in third. I loved you the same as I would If you had the first or the second. It's hard to believe you're gone. The last time I saw you before you were sick, You reminded me of when I was young. We, (My brother and I) Used to stay at your house sometimes. I was little and I loved to have my hair brushed, So I carried my little brush over to you And asked you in my sweet "little girl" voice, "Uncle John, would you please brush my hair?" And you did. April 7th was the day you slipped away. It was a Saturday. I had just talked to my parents the night before, One of those "parent check up" calls. They like to get those every now and then. On Sunday evening I talked to my step dad again And he gave me the news. The first thing I thought, "Uncle John, would you please brush my hair?" Then I thought of your wife and your children. I remembered how I felt when we saw you in the hospital. I cried some, but it hadn't really hit me. It was still hard for me to believe. April 16th we travelled to Point Loma, Fort Rosecrans National Cemetary. It was a beautiful day, A beautiful view. It was my first military funeral And it too, Was beautiful. The 21 gun salute scared your grandson And I think everyone teared up As the sad sound of a single horn Slowly played Taps While everyone listened silently. I wasn't expecting that, and I lost it. Your wife and each of your children wrote something for you. There was a poem, and a few little stories And each one of them brought a few new tears to my eyes And down my cheeks. I held together fairly well through the service And the rest of the day, But I can't sleep now. As soon as I closed my eyes, My thoughts went to you. That was at 12:30. It's 2:00 AM now, and I think I'm out of tears. As much as it hurts though, I'm glad you're not in pain anymore.

I'm Free Author Unknown (Poem handed out at the Funeral) Don't grieve for me, for now I'm free I'm following the path God laid for me, I took His hand when I heard Him call I turned my back and left it all. I could not stay another day To laugh, to love, to work, or play. Tasks left undone must stay that way, I found that place at the close of day. If my parting has left a void Then fill it with remembered joy. A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss, Ah yes, these things, I too, will miss. Be not burdened with times of sorrow. I wish you the sunshine of tomorrow. My life's been full, I savored much; Good friends, good times, a loved one's touch. Perhaps my time seemed all too brief. Don't lengthen it now with undue grief. Lift up your heart and share with me. God wanted me now, He set me free.