Angels on Earth

It seems only yesterday when my Dad passed from
his earthly life. October 18, 1990. Crowded into a
tiny phone booth in Schweindorf, our two children
and I had a tearful conversation with my Dad.

He was dying of cancer and did not want me to
return home for a funeral in the midst of my
Fulbright teaching experience. Trying to explain
to small children is often difficult. Although my

Dad promised to wait for my July return to the
U.S., It was not to be. He died just shy of his
November birthday. Our children went to Maria
Buch, a small chapel near the Abbey in Neresheim.

There I sang Amazing Grace to my Dad and prayed
he as in a happy place in heaven. Unknown to us,
a man had quietly entered the chapel. On the
way out, I spoke German to him and said I

hoped I had not disturbed his prayer. On the
contrary, this angel on earth told me that his
wife had died on October 18 some twenty years
previously. He spent time with her each year.

He thanked me for singing and after wishing one
another well, I reminisced that there are indeed
angels amongst us. Today’s post will concluded
with a poem from my book for my Dad.

Just died

Got the news
Today.
He died.

Didn’t wait
For me to return.
Grief and sadness.

Sang Amazing Grace
In the tiny German chapel
In English.

And thought of
My father
With loving sadness.