Randall W. West

His coat was soft and silky, and his eyes were baby blue.
His nose was pink and runny, and his legs were strong and true.
It really was amazing how that pup could steal your heart.
I never would imagine that a dog could be so smart.

He seemed to get in trouble from the first day I got him.
If he hadn't been so cute, I'm sure my wife just may have shot him.
He ate our son's retainer and some four remotes, I think.
If you didn't watch your sandwich, he would steal it in a blink.
When he learned to open doors, our fridge was bungee corded.
Every doorknob in the house was chewed up and distorted.

Although he was a stinker, our home was filled with love.
I wouldn't trade him for an angel that was sent down from above.
As time went by, the years rolled on and he reached seventeen.
Although his legs grew weak and frail, his mind stayed strong and keen.

Then the day came when we knew his time with us was through.
And when he died, I have no doubt that part of me died, too.
I find a lot of comfort knowing when I've met my fate,
He'll be standing there, tail wagging, waiting at that Pearly Gate!

Behold the aging soldier. He's grown longer in the tooth.
He wears the scars of battle that had squandered all his youth.
Although his war has ended, he finds much to his dismay.
The demons that now haunt him just don't seem to go away.
He performed his duty proudly as he served his time in hell.
The nightmares still upset him, but he hides it very well.
He tries to carry happy thoughts when he lays down to sleep.
But they all will soon turn ugly 'cause his wounds are far too deep.
Outsiders just don't realize what may happen to these vets.
Their memories often fill them with a ton of life's regrets.
Try to keep them in your prayers so peace is what they find.
So many of them can't go on and they often lose their mind.

If you see the pain upon my face, it's not so hard to take.
Although it hurts a lot sometimes, it's a very special ache.
If I seem to be uneasy or appear to be so blue,
It's just my heart's too small to hold all the love I feel for you.

If I always seem so distant every time that we're alone,
You sense the insecurity in the feelings that I've shown.
Try not to think our romance has been a big mistake.
I want to listen to my heart; I'm just afraid it's going to break.

Love me, Dear, for what I am and accept the man I'm not.
Love the things I mean to say and pretend I've said a lot.
Love me, Dear, while we're up close but also from a distance.
For loving you is basic to my entire existence.

I'm sure it won't be easy repairing my poor heart.
I've gone about it knowing right from the very start.
I simply can't complete it now and maybe never will.
It's got a part still missing that only she could fill.

When she gave her love to me, all I did was doubt her,
Unaware how life would be living without her.
Now she's gone, and I'm alone to live my life my way.
Sadly, everything I do has seen a better day.

Live and learn the prophets say
Learn to love the only way.
If you do, then you just may
Live to love another day.

As time went on, I always thought that she'd remain enchanted.
But sadly now, I realize I took her love for granted.
I wish I could go back in time and change things one by one.
But now I know the pain I caused could never be undone.

True love is a special gift that has to be returned.
A lesson that the lonely have seldom ever learned.
But life goes on and so does love. Alone they're incomplete.
Take the time to guide them and protect them when they meet.

Live and learn the prophets say
Learn to love the only way.
If you do, then you just may
Live to love another day.

Fragile is a single life the brave so freely give.
Bound for immortality, their souls will surely live.
Death, don't be proud for what you took, they freely gave away.
Their quest for freedom far outweighed the fear that you convey.

They joined the ranks of warriors, staying vigil day and night.
They often skipped a meal or two, but they never missed a fight.
God bless the men and women whose fighting days are done.
Say a special prayer at night for each and every one.

Rest assured that you will find throughout the coming years
These fallen warriors will return in the hearts of all their peers!
If we forget their sacrifice, their deaths will be in vain.
Let's stand beside their loved ones as we sing their last refrain:

You've come upon our heaven's gate
You surely won't have long to wait.
The saints will take good care of you,
But there is still a lot to do.

You've joined the ranks of everyone
Who fought so freedom could be won.
Although your job on earth is done,
Your work in heaven's just begun.