Good-bye My Good Friend
Regarding one of the best friends I ever had, my first room-mate, first of 5 times of living together. He deserves a whole book on our adventures. And he will get one eventually!
We’re gathered here together; we have come to say good-bye.
To someone that we all agree; was quite a special guy.
Big Al, we all will miss you! It is hard to see you go!
If you are up there watching us, you have to surely know.
How special that you’ve touched us, each and everyone you’d met.
You’re someone that we all had loved, we never will forget.
I thank you for your friendship, which endured until the end.
Thanks for all those times we shared; for being such a friend.
For all the good experiences, together, we had shared!
For always being there for me, as someone who had cared!
For all your generosity, the kindness of your heart!
For riding out this friendship that, so long ago, did start.
Today we all are gathered, we are mourning; we are grieving!
Not one of us was ready for you suddenly just leaving.
The one thing that sustains us is the message of this poem.
That’s knowing where you are big Al! That you have just gone home!
Just know that we all loved you, if in case it didn’t show.
That each of us is hurting since we learned you had to go.
So many things about you, looking back on you, we’ll miss.
Yet each of us can smile, looking, sadly, back at this.
The Packers beat the bears for you, the last game they had played.
No doubt you had your cheese-head out and on your head displayed.
Of course there were those “ree-hahs” that you’d share with us so hardy.
Al, you’d give us quite the laugh, at each and every party.
If you should see us smiling, there’s a chance you’re on our mind.
Remembering a time with you and watching you unwind.
Whenever we might speak of you, and talk of you out loud.
You’ll know that we were glad to know you. Also, we were proud!
Each one us that knew you, when we think of you and speak.
We all share this in common Al; that you were quite unique.
If you should see us staring with a teardrop in our eye,
Good chance we are remembering, this day we said good-bye.
We’ll keep in touch ole buddy: we will keep you in each prayer.
We’ll see you soon in Heaven, Al. We know you’re waiting there.
Thanks for all the memories! Rest in peace old Pal!
Good-bye my lifelong, treasured friend. Good-bye, for now, big Al!
Stevie Ackerman
1/14/2007