The other day my dad said he wanted to give me a gift now and not wait for me to receive it 
when he or my mum are no longer here. How lovely.

And I thought how often we do this with words. We save some of our finest speeches to be spoken in remembrance  of someone we love. So I decided to write now.....

So often in an elegy
we write our finest words.
We say how much they meant to us,
we say we hope they heard
in all our actions day by day
how much we held them dear.
But what if we should tell them so
right now when they are here?

So Mum and Dad, this one's for you -
feet up now, have a rest
and listen as I list for you
the reasons I am blessed.
The example that you set for us
that no-one could disparage
for fifty years and then some more
of faithful, godly marriage.

And when we slept as tiny babes
as in our cots we laid, 
God heard, he saw, he answered you
when steadfastly you prayed.
As we grew, you taught us true
about the Lord's intent
that we should learn about our sin
and that we should repent

and trust the one who took for us
our sins upon the cross.
You showed how living life for him
was never to our loss.
Though sometimes darkness follows
and we seem to dwell in dullness, 
God promised to his children
life in all its fullness.

So now with young ones of our own
you often help and guide,
reminding us to trust in him
to bless and to provide.
And how we love to be with you
to share in warmth and laughter,
so glad God made us family -
for now and ever after.