“I Before E, Except After See”

Well there it is, that's forty years of working in the church;
Resectioned out the nasty stuff, abandoned roads in Birch,
Just leaving me the better parts to think, and say, and do –
And leaving it behind was good, made possible by you.

You took some words which Carter spoke upon retirement day,
Then melded them into a card with poem turned my way;
You spoke of hope tomorrow brings, a bit of who I am,
Then on behalf of church you spoke, and realized you can –

As part of church you speak from it as much as anyone;
For you'd been there through thick and thin, through sadness, joy, and fun;
They told you, “Sing this little song – “I am the church” it says;
So on behalf of all of them, said thanks for working days.

The first year I to Conference went way back in seventy-two,
I got the “Book Award ” that year – it came right from the blue;
It was a thank-you for my year – quite hard in Sandy Lake,
That was before I quit-unquit – upon the Lord did wait.

So that's the point the cut was made – last night cut other end,
Resectioned out the years between – sewed up to let it mend;
For good to good is how it's done when cancer's taken out,
Some good goes out along with it – so health's beyond a doubt.

To London we both went to that year to train for different task;
Let go of “Pastor to the flock”, for that I was not asked;
I did my task a different way, responsive to His word,
And by it sought a way to help church shift – not be absurd.

Last night you said your thanks to me for years – just like that book;
I used to think they cared for all, then took a second look;
But now I see (look number three) they do – another way –
For you and I together are the church that lives today.

Two little words, such simple words are “thank you friend, for this”,
Yet hard they are for us to say except in times of bliss;
I learned a lesson here last night, that each can speak for You,
And on behalf of universe say thanks for what you do.

For maybe others cannot speak for reasons quite unknown,
But those of us freed up can speak and see such harvest sown;
So maybe that's a clue for me of what I now can do,
Now I'm retired – look ’round and say, “For that I'm thanking you”.

As “bitter” now is “better” with a simple vowel shift;
Resectioned out the cancer part, two healthy parts now fit;
Why carry round the nasty stuff to clutter memory?
Two little words, “We thank you, friend”  – you did it here for me.

So now I to the future turn, like Carter in the past –
A peanut farmer, President, faced housing shortage vast;
He used his strength to build some homes and called us to join in,
And in the time apportioned us forget where we have been –

But rather, pick a hammer up, join others in some task;
There's lots to do, start anywhere, don't wait for folks to ask;
If you will enter into life, life enters into you –
Retirement is a second chance – so do what you can do.

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