Carl Johnson…April 15, 1923 – April 25, 2011

The years I have known you have been thirty five

That’s when I became your son’s wife

Your place in Downers Grove I remember so well

I loved to visit there and stay a spell

Walking on the grass in the large back yard

Which you and mom worked on so hard

The flowers and vegetables flourished and grew

Lots of produce for casseroles and stew

The harvest was abundant and good

And shared with family and friends for food

I remember how you would spend your days

Fixing things around the house in your own quiet ways

You never made a big fuss about it

But just took action rather than sit

I remember seeing you fixing cars

By the garage filled with nuts and bolts in a hundred jars

I was always amazed at your ability to find

That special tool or item that was one of a kind

Nothing was thrown away

“I might need it” you would say

You watched the daily weather reports and news

Always informed of the current temperatures and views

And if I were to take a hard look

I could still find them written in your notebook.

Your faithful reading of God’s Word each day

Is a picture in my mind that will forever stay

Sitting by the window in that big brown chair

You would pray and cast on Him your care

God has been faithful to you over these years

Given you times of joy, but also times of tears

Saying goodbye to your wife,

Who was the love of your life

Was a hard thing for you to do

But God was still holding on to you.

Your time here on earth has come to an end

We will miss you and ask God our hearts to mend

From the time of your birth

Your years numbered eighty eight on earth

And now you have been ushered into heaven above

Experiencing God’s very presence and love

And eternally present in His Kingdom

Reunited with other loved ones and mom.

Poem by: Jannie Johnson (April 25, 2011)