Spoken word by the spiritual poet

I was asked by my sister and longtime friend, Joyce Simms-Tyson to write my thoughts about her beloved dear husband Al, for his homegoing celebration service on Friday, September 10, 2021.

My thoughts in loving memory to one of the most beloved brothers I know. We miss you Al.

Lord, we thank you for Al,

For intentionally, intimately, and intricately designing him into all the days of our lives.

His willingness to selflessly give himself away to us without reservation, regret, or reward in return. His willingness to pray with us through the midnight hours until you turn it around, march with us through the valley of vicissitude to the tableland of victory, and rejoice with us through the throes, thrills, and breathtaking mountaintop experiences, speaks to his strong convictions that when you hurt, he hurts and when you rejoice, he rejoices.

And his willingness to share his warm, winsome wisdom from above that is “first pure, then peace-loving, gentle, compliant, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without pretense.”

Yes, we have all experienced healthy, wholesome, and lifechanging healing moments through the implanted Word of God in Al and his effectual call to ministry.

He will always be in our moments, memories, and memoirs, as he is truly family. He is our brother, our breath, our blood, and our bone.

Now as we funeralize, eulogize, and memorialize the sunrise and sunset celebration of another son immortalized by the God of glory, who joins the eternal anthem of unbroken praise before the morning stars began, we take comfort in knowing,

it is well with his soul.

Lord, we thank you for Al.