Arnold Herring

ARNOLD

We watched him shrivel up from a large man to a mere frame;

He was always optimistic about it all, ever acting the same.

It became painful to move, even to smil shen one spoke,

And anyone who knew Arnold, knew how he lived a good joke.

But his dark eyes never dimmed through this cancerous trial,

To us he showed courage and the way one should walk their last mile.

The garden he planted each year, then give the harvest away;

And the work in his church he loved; he was faithful to pray.

Any who knew Arnold loved this Arkansas boy from the start;

How could you not love him when he so easily shared with you his heart.

We gathered to share the Lord’s Supper in his living room, where he lay,

He propped up in bed, took the cup and the bread in a brave way;

We held hands and sang the last verse of “Amazing Grace”,

There was a flutter of angel wings and a peaceful look on his face;

We let go and wept tears of love for our dear sick friend,

Then knelt by his bed, held his hand knowing it was near the end;

Yet soon he would move out of the shell so fail and thin;

Yes, soon Arnold would truly embrace life where eternity begins.

It’s hard to let go when it’s someone you love and you’ve known;

But remind us, Dear Father, he’s your child, just going home.

Bye Arnold, our friend, brother-in-Christ and fine man;

Stand near the door for we’ll be there soon in God’s Heaven.

Larry D. Sparks

April 4, 1994