Poem for Grandpa S.

This is a poem that my Mom wrote for my Grandpa S.'s funeral (a few of the lines are in German because that is where he was born). It really makes me realize that I need to treasure the moments that I have left with my other grandparents!

Vater, Wir Sind Dankbar
(Father, We Are Grateful)

As we look back on our lives
We find ourselves wondering...
Did we remember to thank you
For all that you have done for us?

For all of the times you were by our side
to help us celebrate our successes
And accept our defeats?

Or for teaching us the value of hard work,
Good judgment, courage, and honesty?

We wonder if we've ever thanked you for the simple things...
The laughter, smiles, and quiet times we've shared?

If we've forgotten to express our gratitude
For any of these things,
We are thanking you now.
And we hope that you've known all along,
How very much you are loved and appreciated.

You were there when we took our first steps,
And went unsteadily across the floor.
You pushed and prodded: encouraged and guided,
Until our steps took us our the door...

You worried then "Will the be OK?
Is there more I could have done?"
As we walked the paths of our unknown
You wondered, "Where have my children gone?"

Where we are is where you have led us,
With your special love you showed us a way
To believe in ourselves and the decisions we make
Taking on the challenges of life day to day.

And where we go now you can be sure,
No matter how far away we roam,
For where you've been is what matters most to us,
Because to us that will always be home.

If we could give you diamonds
For each tear you cried for us.
If we could give you sapphires
For each truth you've helped us see.

If we could give you rubies
For the heartache that you've known
If we could give you pearls
For the kindness that you've shown.

Then you'll have a treasure, Daddy,
That would mount up to the skies
That vast fortune would almost match
The sparkle in your kind and loving eyes.

But we have no pearls or diamonds,
As we're sure you're well aware
So to honor you, we give you gifts most precious...
Our devotion, love, and care.
Wir lieben dich!
(We love you!)