Little Man Lost

Little Man Lost is a poem I wrote for my "Grampa" Jensen back in 1993. Grampa had been suffering from the effects of Alzheimer's disease for quite some time when it was decided that he could no longer live on his own and that his live-in assistance just wasn't enough.

We were with him the day before he went into the home and my mom and Uncle Bob were to help him move the following day. I was so restless and emotional that night before the move that I just had to find a way to deal; knowing that it would be the last time he would ever see his home again was just unbearable to me. This poem started popping into my head and was finished within about an hour. I shared it with my roommate Lisa, and then drove over to my mom's to share it with her as I just couldn't sleep.

The picture above was taken of Grampa with his grandchildren at his surprise 70th birthday in 1987. He lost his battle in 1997. It's been over eight years since he passed away, and yet we still miss him so much!

Little Man Lost

The little man
With a heart as big as the sky.
We look at you now,
And ask God, "Why?"

Why would such pain
Be cast upon you?
Such anger and confusion,
Not knowing what to do.

You were always there for us,
With support and love,
And stories of the old days;
We could never get enough.

Life has its way of changing,
Though it's hard to understand,
But we're here for you Grampa,
Holding out our hands.

They say, "Time is a teacher".
You've taught us to be true,
Little Man Lost,
We sure do love you.

7/28/93