I watched him in the kitchen one morning wondering about the thoughts behind his tired eyes and I never bothered to ask him what he was thinking about or why he was looking for or where. One whole day we sat to watch the afternoon light gathering traces and footprints left by children in the snow past the field beyond the far building the sun sets in shadows and in all the best of times he watched his children grow. Now were counting up the time. The worth of family we know doubles the worth of the world in gold. And after all is said and done the sun sets in shadows and in all the best of times he watched his children grow. And all he knew he never quite summed up in words but with gospel songs he said all there is to say and as he sang greater wisdom and higher learning carried through and for the King he sings anew. I imagine my grandpas face longer now the shadows of the lines the years have traced past the fields beyond the far building the hopes for tomorrow are growing as children do. As he watches his children grow.