ART & POETRY BY PAUL & KATHY BOECHER

This has been a year of firsts for me and our family. The first missed birthday without him – Valentines Day – the coming of spring – Mother’s Day and so on. Today will be the first Father’s Day our children will have only fond memories of their dad. We celebrated our 60th anniversary last September. For all those years and more – he was there. Now he’s with his heavenly Father. What a blessing for him, yet bittersweet for me and those who loved him. I wrote the following poem last year to celebrate Father’s Day. It refers to the Good Shepherd. I’ve written this week about my Father, God. Both of those posts reflect the kind of life Paul exhibited.

Not only was he a great dad, but He led his kids in the right direction by placing God first in our family. We all miss him. Time will pass and the hurt won’t be as bad anymore, but for now it’s still very fresh in our minds. Happy Father’s Day in heaven, my sweet husband. I will love you forever and always.

A tender shepherd walked this earth with love within his touch,
His words could calm the troubled sheep, His hands led them through much.
He chased away the predators, He brought them safely home.
He often searched for many hours for one who liked to roam.
He nurtured and He led them to pastures lush and green,
He sometimes pushed and prodded, through perils yet unseen.
His rod and staff protected – His love would see them through,
For they were His possession – He did what He must do.
He found the purest water to quench their endless thirst,
A clean and living water that always put them first.
This great and perfect shepherd still leads us every day.
His life He gave – became the sheep – to take our sins away.
No price can compensate Him. He dwells among us still.
He leads our souls to heaven. He guides us with His will.