Paul 2008
PHALL PHOTO 2008
The Measure of a Man
What if a man lives his life full of purpose, reason, and love?
He makes it through childhood, the teenage years, and young adulthood honoring his parents, serving his country, and with loyal friendships still intact.
He carries these tenets of honor, service and loyalty as he falls in love and makes a family; joining her children with theirs.
He takes fatherhood seriously and works hard to build a home, hold down a good job, and then they form a business of their own.
He serves his community as a firefighter; 24/7, one emergency call at a time, for 30 years.
He remains conscientious, believes in hard work and big dreams, he has friends from every walk of life; for he is no judge of others.
He is quick with a joke or a prank, which surprises those who are fooled by the grumbly, growly side of him.
He appreciates beauty, whether in nature or man-made. He is an inventor, thinker, builder and mechanic.
He thinks 5 steps ahead of the game; always planning the next move cautiously.
He grieves deeply his losses; viscerally shaken by the pain of losing his wife, the mother of his children. Though he will carry this pain to his own death, after a time, he rallies his forces to continue on the way.
He is set in his ways and has something in common with mules, though love can bend him her way if she tries.
He forms a new love, which quickly becomes an unbreakable bond.
He spends several years living, loving, and laughing with his new love; they have grand babies together! They make dreamy plans to retire on the Snake River and ride their jet boat!
What if they spend a year fighting for his life? They spend precious moments beach combing, laughing, crying and adjusting their plans for his illness, then for his recovery; and also hazily planning for the worst, while stridently hoping for the best.
Then the day still comes when the doctors tell them that nothing more can be done to save his life.
All she asks is one more miracle—he’s been tossing them around all year long—just one more, please.
During his last weeks, tucked into their own bed, we hear story after story about how his courage and strength this past year has changed so many lives.
What if a man lives his life, and even his dying, full of purpose, reason and love?
Shouldn’t he then be called, not perfect, but a king among men?
Patti
Poem written July 2009,
THE WRITE PLACE... 
August 9, 2013 at 1:14 am
Stunning as an example, through sentiment and poesy. Thank you and may we all leave such a legacy
August 9, 2013 at 1:15 am
Thank you so much.
August 9, 2013 at 1:51 am
Death is always painful. RIP Paul…
August 9, 2013 at 2:11 am
Let me catch my breath…I don’t have the words. Only – may we all live our lives and deaths as kings among men. You’re remarkable Patti. Love always, Harula xxxx
August 9, 2013 at 2:19 am
Thank you. I’m still trying to catch mine! Feels like yesterday…hugs.
August 9, 2013 at 2:28 am
To this day Patti… to this very day, and into the foreseeable future! I still aspire to be like Paul…of course in my own personalized way. What a tremendous gift, and from such an under-assumed person. This gift is not a spoken word, nor is it a keep-sake…it transcends all boundaries, for it knows none. I am ever more inspired, these four long and short years later…who was that masked-man?
Who am I to receive this unexpected gift, who am I to know it…who am I to deserve it…this life seems not lost, but given…I cannot take, but must give too. If there is to be a creed, I propose it as thus…
I can’t even begin to imagine the place in your shoes…yet my tears are joy and hope too…just as much for you.
I’ve seen your ‘house’ burn a few times…’lady-bug’, but your fireman is indelibly a part of you…and to those of us who were fortunate enough to ‘see’ him.
Here’s a tissue, and a shot of Scotch!
With love, admiration, and many thanks for you and Paul!
I bid you adieu!
-M
August 9, 2013 at 2:33 am
Thank you, friend.
August 9, 2013 at 4:00 am
Paul is an Amazing man,, and you are an amazing woman Patti, I can only stand back in awe of what a man Paul is. A true man, a find man and a man of love and loyalty.
As said above you are a remarkable woman. We only met last night on WP but I feel in spirit we are very similar. Love all the way…
May your heart be kept by friends.
And as we say in Scotland…
I pay homage you Paul x
August 9, 2013 at 4:02 am
Thank you, Shaun! Will write more later…you know…
August 9, 2013 at 4:42 am
I do…x
My thoughts will be with you today…
Shaun x
August 9, 2013 at 4:49 am
Sheesh. That made me cry a lot. Amazing Grace my fave. But that version? Holy crow, I think it tilted my universe. Or maybe that was,,,,,. :>)
Thanks, new old friend,
Patti
August 9, 2013 at 4:58 am
When the Scottish Bagpipes come “Just WOW”
LOL @ The Scotch, I can drink a few bottles of that.. x
And my pleasure Patti…
August 9, 2013 at 5:07 am
Incredible version! Have you heard Hallelujah? I love all the versions of that.
I just want to go back and listen to Amazing Grace again, but man, can anyone listen to that w/out crying???
August 9, 2013 at 5:19 am
I cried, this song was my Grans song, she loved it. At her funeral we had a lone piper play it as the coffin was put in the car…Very moving…
And I JUST blogged that song…Great minds think alike!
http://prayingforoneday.wordpress.com/2013/08/09/one-of-the-most-remarkable-songs-i-have-ever-heard/
Xx
August 9, 2013 at 5:26 am
Hit wrong key:>) It is now 5:25 a.m. here. Anyway, thanks, Shaun. I’m sure I will be cursing you tomorrow. That Amazing Grace did it!
August 9, 2013 at 9:56 am
I hope it made you smile also x
August 9, 2013 at 10:02 am
Of course.
August 9, 2013 at 10:26 am
X
August 9, 2013 at 5:00 am
You have put a face with Paul. I feel I know him now much better. 🙂
August 9, 2013 at 5:09 am
Yep, that face has been making me cry all night…glad you like the pic.
August 9, 2013 at 5:27 am
The pic and the words give him an identity.
August 9, 2013 at 5:51 am
Amen.
August 9, 2013 at 6:29 am
If a man lives his life and dying with purpose, reason and purpose as a king among men then certainly he modeled his life after our greatest King, our God. You should be proud.
August 9, 2013 at 9:54 am
Thank you, Sheree.
August 9, 2013 at 8:36 am
What a beautiful tribute {wipes away tears}, just beautiful.
August 9, 2013 at 9:55 am
Thank you…eyes filled with my own tears.
August 9, 2013 at 4:28 pm
Beautiful tribute, Patti. You and yours in my heart and on my mind this day. Blessed be, Judy
August 9, 2013 at 9:10 pm
A wonderful tribute.
August 9, 2013 at 9:14 pm
Thank you, Marilyn.
August 9, 2013 at 9:26 pm
Reaching out with hugs. He sounds more than a king. This must have been so raw for you as I see it was written in ’09. The start of another journey for you…
Ellespeth
August 9, 2013 at 9:31 pm
I actually wrote in the hospital after the doctor told us he couldn’t do anything more…we were already up to Plan E I think. Yes, raw. Sometimes I wish I could have just forget about this memoir project, but Paul really wanted us to help others on that awful path. Damn it, no way out!
August 9, 2013 at 9:36 pm
Oh no, young lady. The memoirs will not be forgotten…not if all of us have anything to say about it.
Ellespeth
August 9, 2013 at 11:16 pm
Beautiful.
August 9, 2013 at 11:34 pm
Thank you, Heather. Preacher Paul read this at Paul’s memorial, I just remembered. I don’t even know who was there unless I get brave and look at the video…
XO
August 10, 2013 at 10:00 am
Of your poem, this line stood out for me: “He is set in his ways and has something in common with mules, though love can bend him her way if she tries.” I love your way with words, the loving, humorous way you tell about Paul’s stubbornness. My throat is pretty tight right now, so I’m glad I can write and not have to talk. I’m rambling because I don’t know what to say or how to say it even if I knew what to say. I grieve your loss. I’m moved to tears by Paul’s desire and generosity to make his death as meaningful as his life. I’m indebted to you for all that you have shared, for I’ve learned so much.
And hugs, hugs, hugs.
August 10, 2013 at 10:21 am
Thank you. Hugs.
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August 10, 2013 at 3:52 pm
What an honor, thank you.
August 10, 2013 at 4:11 pm
Thank you for the nomination. Can barely write, so worried about Ionia…I am in such impressive company…I know most everyone on your award list.
August 13, 2013 at 3:35 pm
Such a beautiful poem, and a loving tribute. Again and again I admire your courage to take such painful and personal experience, and turn it into something so valuable to others. God bless you. I know Paul is proud of you.
August 17, 2013 at 10:37 am
A poignant remembrance. Memories live on, don’t they?
August 19, 2013 at 9:36 am
emotionally stirring writing, a wonderful tribute. Very fine!
August 19, 2013 at 9:51 am
Thank you, I’m glad you enjoyed it.He was something…
August 19, 2013 at 9:56 am
I’m sure. So sorry for your loss, wishing you beautiful memories.
August 19, 2013 at 10:01 am
Thank you so much. I’m glad to have you join us here. I followed your site too. You show your heart all over the place there :>)
August 19, 2013 at 10:03 am
thank you Patti, you too, It is clear you heart is big as all outdoors!
November 25, 2022 at 1:26 am
Hi nice reading youur blog