Our Life, Our Love
I never met Riley Boatman. He moved on to heaven from COVID before I had the blessing of getting to know him. But my dear friend, Linda Boatman was his wife, and if he was anything like her—and I suspect he was—he had to be a delightful, inspiring, and joy-filled man. One who encouraged and loved others with a full heart.
Linda had a beautiful book made of Riley’s poems and she shared with me. As I read this poem—this poem I will share with you—my tears dropped on the pages.
Our Life by William Riley Boatman
Re-thinking my life and the things I’ve done,
I’ve certainly seen sadness but victory has won.
The one I once loved, God soon took away…
I loved her so much but she couldn’t stay.
It’s not for me to know the “WHY?”
All I know is she had to die.
The cancer that took her was an evil foe
She fought it hard but it wouldn’t let go.
Bouts of depression she wouldn’t allow
To a life of misery she refused to bow.
She knew her life was in God’s hands,
She asked no more than be in His plans.
I’ll see her again up in the skies
When this old vessel withers and dies.
But what of me while I’m still here?
What’s there now that I’ll hold dear?
If it was God’s plan to take her away,
There must be a reason…for me to stay.
Yet…there was another who had to die
And someone else would ask God, “Why?”
Their love had lasted for many years…
It held them safe through trials and fears.
Though she wasn’t ready for him to leave,
God’s call, nevertheless, he would receive.
But God wasn’t through with she and I,
There was more to do…before we’d die.
Falling in love was not in our plans,
Though we wanted our fates to be in His hands.
He led us to each other…to love again,
With new lives together we would begin.
That she would love me is hard to believe,
An undeserved blessing I would receive.
She’s loved and respected by all she knows
And gives me love like I had long ago.
I often watch her as she walks by my side…
I will love her forever, my beautiful bride.
Now old and wrinkled as our lives near their end,
We look to heaven where eternity we’ll spend.
Our Lord will great us when we meet Him up there
And along with those loved ones…His glory we’ll share.
-William Riley Boatman…2021
Thanks for visiting LuSays. For books from Lucille Williams check out From Me to We and The Intimacy You Crave and The Impossible Kid: Parenting a Strong-Willed Child with Love and Grace helping relationships thrive. And on preorder Turtle Finds His Talent for ages 2-6.
