He gave me the warmest smile when he saw me on the dance floor
like he was proud of me for doing the electric slide
like he was glad I had accepted the invitation
--the invitation to fun, delight, and joy--
the one that he was constantly offering
with his trumpet and his jokes
I remember watching him
singing German hymns he didn’t really know,
there in front of everyone,
getting the words wrong, laughing
“You don’t care if I make a mistake! Why should I?”
and his wrinkly smile spread to all our faces
He walked through life with a grateful smile
as if he felt the very air he walked through as a gift,
surrounded by grace, and delighted;
he made me want to join him there
Sometimes he slept through my husband’s sermons;
the Word just echoed around him
and he rested inside of it
he was held by it
and I think he’s resting there now.
I will look for him hereafter
on God’s dance floor
and he will give me that smile again
when I join him there.
In loving memory of my friend, Dave