Belonging

From the time that he was small he entertained and made folks laugh
Creating words and sayings and stories only funny when he told them
His eyes would crinkle or his face explode with humor as he drew you in
And you knew his heart just wanted to belong

No one talked or wrote with such abandon
As when he put his thoughts for you on paper or the wall
Framed for all to see his words of love for those to whom he wrote
And you knew his heart just wanted to belong

When he walked through Disney’s gates his imagination knew no bounds
As he left the other world behind to completely be with family
Munching churros and a turkey leg or two as we all traipsed to and fro
And you knew his heart just wanted to belong

His pirate name was “Basil” as the stories on his body told
Sailing with the tide he’d take us all along to worlds unknown
Taking treasures from his trove to remind you of the times we’d spent together
And you knew his heart just wanted to belong

Many battles came and went, often leaving scars and pain slow healing
Doubtless there were nights spent long and lonely, fighting someone he was not
Living with the ghosts inside his head that taunted even waking days
And you knew his heart just wanted to belong

When he lay there all those many days and times
Hooked up to machines to work to make him well
His raspy voice though hard to understand would speak his mind
And you knew his heart just wanted to belong

His greatest moments came right near the end of these few days he had with us
As he worked to realize the character that God had had in mind
Saying often, “sorry for the lapse; I’m working to be so much more”
And you knew his heart just wanted to belong

The moment that he passed from life on earth to life in heaven
We will never know for sure though we might try
But no doubt remains they gathered round with open arms
For heaven knew his heart just wanted to belong