'A Life Well Lived'

When I was a little boy
me and my grandfather would often just hang out,
watch movies, go fishing, play chess, hike, go to lunch, 
just guy stuff.
He regaled me with stories and what to expect in life;
how to treat people, how important family is,
how important God and country are,
made sure I brushed my teeth and
to never be embarrassed or ashamed
to hug or show affection 
toward the family – lessons of life.
 
Lessons of life I’ve carried with me
that have sculpted me into the man 
I have become and who I want my kids 
to know and emulate.
 
But the stories, good God, 
the stories Pop would tell me
were tales of adventure and
excitement beyond belief.
 
As I grew older, I grew more
skeptical and began silently to
question the veracity of his sagas.
 
After Pops passed and my father was in his golden years
dad agreed that Pops truly was long winded and imaginative
but dad confirmed to me that everything Pops had told me was absolutely true.
 
Pops, I should never have doubted
a single word.
A life well lived…
 
–  Larry Bourland, Durango