HE HEARD THE OWL CALL HIS NAME

By Dona Lynn Clabby

In Memory of Bob Burns

July 2, 1923 -May 1, 2003
 
My friend said he heard
The Owl call his name.
I asked him is that some Irish tale? 
"No," he replied, American Indian folklore says,
"You're coming to the end of your trail."
My friend stared with courage
The trail that lay before him
And shared his peaceful thoughts.
He said he loved Tom and I,
REMEMBER all the good
That this Life had brought.
                                             
My friend loved the theater
He acted out with great Soul.
He had masks, costumes and hats
That fit every role.
          Son, Brother, Husband, Father, Grandfather and Friend,
Navy Corpsman, Michigan State Alumnus, Hunter and Equestrian.
          Builder, Actor, Artist, Writer, Traveler and Kawanian.
   Elected Official, Great Bartender and Want-a-Be- Fireman,
             Retired Sheriff Volunteer Patrolman, Santa Claus, and
                                   Beloved Veterinarian.
 
He also was a spiritual man,
He served his church faithfully.
He loved his God,
And prayed daily.
 
He was not ashamed to shed his tears
Or admit he might be wrong.
He was true to himself
A real Irish Elf
That could quickly break out in song.
Character, integrity
His word was his bond.
He loved the beauty of the other sex,
Especially if you were blond!
 
He served 18 years
When his little town became a City,
He was its Councilman and Mayor.
Could have been longer... what a pity!
 
Yet in those years
He served untiring
To bring forth what was good.
His beloved Lemon Grove
"Best Climate on Earth"
The jewel of all neighborhoods.
 
At MTDB
He was known as an Honorable Ambassador.
He was indeed all of that,
And much, much more.
A man of good humor
He was always ready to play.
His little airplane in a parade
Made his day!
 
He built his own home
With a great big red Barn,
Five bedrooms for the kids
With a giant fireplace to keep warm.
 
This man is a treasure
We have memories of him galore.
The only REAL LEPRECHAUN
We'll ever meet and know,
And shouting "please just once more"!
 
My friend and his wife are a gift of the heart,
I learned from him how to be brave.
From her I learned to slow down and observe
In detail all the beauty that waves.
 
                He is in a good place with daughter Erin and son Patrick.
 
Oh to be there and to listen and laugh along with them
We need only to remember them with love.
They are as close to us as our thoughts
Encircling, beside us and above.
 
Somewhere far, away,
A script was handed to each of us.
We said "Yes, that's the part I want to play."
If we are lucky enough, we have a supporting cast
That brings out the best of us each day.
 
Bob and Jackie are that,
To all their family and friends.
They loyalty and devotion
To one another and to us,
"Never, really ends"...
 
                                 Over fifty years and more...
                 They gave each other a smile with a future in it...
 
                                           They lived a life...
 Loving, giving, sharing, laughing and didn't waste one minute!
                                        
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