Verse 1
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"Seen Through the Eyes"
As magic it appears
the visualization
of yesterday, today.
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Verse 2
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To see the plains
and wagons of travel;
weeks and months
to traverse years.
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Verse 3
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Thus to feel the tears
of love and hardship
from the touch of memory.
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Verse 4
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It is within my view
to feel another's
history and thoughts.
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Verse 5
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Forever in the planning
and traversing this life;
what was once
only to wonder.
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Verse 6
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It is now to know
from the voice
of one whose life
was lived to love
and share with others.
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Verse 7
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Thus today I sat
entranced to listen
in a short window
to the life of a man;
who so short a time
will be a memory
for the rest of my life.
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Verse 8
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"1904-1910"
Screaming wildly
quite red was born
a son to be named
my friend Tom;
in the State of Colorado.
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Verse 9
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Robust as his father
and gentle as his mother
the guidance of another
this child born
to survive the century;
almost the beginning
to the end.
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Verse 10
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He grew to youth
while in these years
to the age of six;
knowing and learning
from his grandfather
who influenced
him more than most.
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Verse 11
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"1910-1911"
The move was hard
exciting, fun beyond
the belief of those
who listen as he talk
today from a memory
reflecting both humor
and the seriousness
of a move from
Colorado to Arizona
in covered wagons.
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Verse 12
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Using flatboats to cross
rivers and lakes;
hoists and pulleys
to enter or exit
the deep gorges
thought beautiful
as we cross bridges
in cars today.
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Verse 13
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Asked to settle
an area in the Miami-
Globe area of Arizona
his father went to farming
and dairy cows with
all of the attending work
to start anew with little time
for play, ever for a seven
year old young boy.
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Verse 14
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"1911-1917"
School was not
as it seemed today
the new education
system of the East
hadn't quite caught
on completely as yet
in the West.
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Verse 15
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It was an inconvenience
to work on the farm
and most young men
went no further
than the 8th grade
in their studies;
then to work hard
on the farm.
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Verse 16
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So at the end
of the 8th grade
my friend was now
done with formative
education as such;
but learning quickly
the role and performance
of a man at this young age.
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Verse 17
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"1918-1924"
In maturity also
comes the nature
of love and family;
though not of
just staying at home.
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Verse 18
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Thus this young man
who cut quite a figure
went courting young
shapely Nellie who was
to become his bride.
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Verse 19
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She wanted marriage
in a church and he
said no to hers;
but she said
"It was his,"
she was thinking
of because she'd
heard they marry
not just for time
but for all eternity.
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Verse 20
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He voiced his
thoughts that
it wasn't quite
that easy to do;
but needless she
investigated and joined
and waited for him
after marriage
to complete the bargain;
she'd agreed
when she said, "Yes."
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Verse 21
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"1925-1948"
In these twenty-three
years came eight
children the youngest
a boy who when
he turned fourteen
needed a teacher
in Sunday school.
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Verse 22
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Now Tom was a man
whose word was known
and true when it was
given to another.
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Verse 23
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Thus when on
a Saturday a friend
said, "Tom, I need
your help tomorrow,"
he said, "I can help!"
The friend said,
"Be at the chapel
at 7:30AM,"
and hung up.
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Verse 24
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As Tom pondered
what he'd gotten into;
sweet Nellie reminded
him he'd given his word.
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Verse 25
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"1948-1955"
At 7:30AM he was
handed a book;
told the Teachers
needed a teacher;
please take care
of it - and for
the next seven
years this was
his role - and
he became an Elder.
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Verse 26
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"1955-1962"
Attending Stake Conference
after the meetings
standing in the hall
a member of the Stake
told Nellie and Tom
the Stake President
wanted to see them.
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Verse 27
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He said, "Well I guess
I'm to be excommunicated;
don't know why though
they need to see you."
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Verse 28
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But not at all the case
Tom's friend was
now the Bishop;
and Tom was called
as his counselor;
but told he'd be given
time to learn his role.
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Verse 29
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The next Sunday
at his first Bishopric
meeting he was told
it was his turn
to conduct.
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Verse 30
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Tom said, "Well,
don't expect many
to return next week."
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Verse 31
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For seven grand years
Tom served long
and well in this
new calling
he was to be given
time to learn.
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Verse 32
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"1962-1969"
Released at last
having well learned
the role of the Bishopric;
now to the High Priest's
Group he was called.
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Verse 33
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He sighed and went
forth to serve
in this new role;
thinking seven years
seem to be about
all they can tolerate
of me in a calling.
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Verse 34
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And he was correct
for at the end
of seven years
he again was released.
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Verse 35
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"1969-1976"
Again into the Bishopric
was he called again
to reach and grow
and help others out.
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Verse 36
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He went out to others
now as once they'd
come to him to ask;
for them to help
and thus others
now were being
prepared to follow
this faithful humble
servant of Father.
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Verse 37
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"1976-until"
Again a release
again to the High Priests
he was assigned;
this his last calling
as his eyesight
was failing,
while sweet Nellie
at 72 learned to drive;
to get him around
and to be his eyes.
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Verse 38
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"1992"
Sweet Nellie
her mortal mission
completed left
him alone one day.
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Verse 39
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She entered sick
into the hospital;
send him an
ice-cream cake
on his birthday.
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Verse 40
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Then on the 27th
of May she again
went home leaving
Tom still to serve
in his special way.
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Verse 41
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"1904-1999 and counting"
Eight children,
26 grandchildren,
56+ great-grandchildren;
and who can keep track
of how many Great -
great grandchildren.
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Verse 42
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His hand shake firm
with love and warmth
of a deep spirit
within this gentle man
my friend whom
I met today
named Tom.
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