By his side, I watched your son grow,

With shackles on small hands,

Their great weight you bestowed,

But learned to withstand.

 

Your mistakes he bore with a smile

With chin up and back straight -

But the weight of your sins was vile,

And his suffering great.

 

Fierce and determined, he became

A shining man with dreams -

The shackles no longer disclaimed,

The family name redeemed.

 

Your sins wiped away by his hands,

His smile never dimmed-

Went off to achieve his great plans

Even as his hair thinned.

 

He became a friend to many,

A big brother to moi -

A brilliant man that earned envy

And nothing less than awe.

 

Your stained name is almost gone,

Hardly ever spoken -

But your marker he did look on

with smiles unbroken.

 

His bright light too quickly taken,

But prove himself he did -

Fighting odds and never breaking

To stand,

Smile,

And win.