Bob-n-Shirley

 

Words for June 25, 2020

I love Bob and Shirley. They are like my second parents. Dianne and I and our family have been so blessed to have multiple spiritual fathers and mothers. I hope to paint them although it is intimidating because it has to be done right.

 

Only One Word

 

A friend of ours told about Bob-n-Shirley,

Because Shirley had a coffee-n-gift shop.

Sit a spell, talk-n-laugh, share a problem,

Pray for a friend, encourage each other.

I began to think Bob-n-Shirley was merely one word.

 

Bob, had the drug store, I loved his old building and stuff

So at times I would drop in and get what I needed

He was a friendly sort, kinda quiet,

Although I didn’t really know him, I wanted to.

I thought Bob-n-Shirley was one word.

 

Then we’d cross paths, and sometimes we did,

We’d hear people say “that Bob-n-Shirley

Are “some sorta folk”.

Ready to help, ready to give, ready to share”

Still I always thought Bob-n-Shirley was only one word.

 

We came to the church and there they were,

Sitting-n-staying and smiling-n-praying,

Solid as rock

Ordinarily special and plainly amazing

And I’d hear someone say “Bob-n-Shirley “are here.

 

Then we knew Jack-n-Kathy. Kathy’s bubbly and smiley

And laughs like her mother.

And we saw Doug’s artwork,

So amazing and I’m hoping to be that good someday.

And their parents, Bob-n-Shirley, are surely one word.

 

Later on I met Kelly, seeing Bob in his eyes.

He’s their youngest, but not so young now.

And their children, much like them, inherited their traits.

I guess we just wanted that too.

Yet I always thought Bob-n-Shirley was only one word.

 

At times we would see, through the joy and the pain,

That their passion for people directed their days.

We kept watching their family

We saw kindness–n-wisdom, and peace-loving calm.

Still, I saw Bob-n-Shirley as only one word.

 

It was good for my family to see their example

Just like an extra set of parents, or grandparents

Never wavering, or detouring far,

Showing us patience, faith, humor-n-joy

Yet to me it seemed the two, ”Bob-n-Shirley”, were just one word.

 

R Nordyke