I had a friend, a man I could trust
Who hid his heart ‘neath a tender crust.
Each time we met it made me grin
As he tried to keep the soft part in.

He’d joke and grumble about the way
The world was going, day by day
And always he’d find something—about
Which he could torment—and catch me out.

His formal address, by my given name,
Was part of the greeting, always the same,
That made my heart glad to see his face
And to know that he’d help keep me in my place.

Crusty and abrupt was his way with me
But beneath it all it was plain to see
That in his heart was a strong, true love
Loaned for his use by his Father above.

Values we shared that came from the past:
Of marriage vows that are meant to last,
Of promises made and not to be broken,
Of how a man gives his word and no other token

Yes, ‘Robert’, I’ll miss you along the way,
Your insightful comments when we gather to pray
And study the scriptures with diligent care
To see what new message is waiting there.

But this I expect that someday up there,
When I’m lifted at last to the top of that stair;
I’ll hear a brusque voice, chuckling, shout,
“Surely they’ll keep that ‘Alexander’ out!”

And this too, I know, with both heart and head,
Based firmly upon the scriptures we’ve read
That my trust in you, Bob, was never so deep
As our trust in Jesus, His promise to keep.