A Tribute to Clifford Henry Haislip

 June 24th, 2022 will go down as one of the most surreal days of my life.  This morning I got the news that my dear Grandpa, Clifford Henry Haislip, went peacefully to be with His Saviour.  I got this news standing beside a church bell made in 1802 - in the middle of the Smithsonian Museum of American History.  As I spent the day with my students and a dear friend, I soaked up the sites and gazed at the beauty and grandeur of some of our Nation's finest documents and greatest history going from the National Archives to Ford's Theater, and walking along the Mall.  In some ways, it's better this way. Because Grandpa Cliff loved this land, served his country in the Army, and loved to see his grandchildren explore the world and savor history as he had.  To make today even more surreal, I was in D.C. when a historical decision was made: Dobbs v. Jackson.  Aubrey, today was for you too, to the honor of your memory for which I will always speak.

Yesterday on the plane, I knew this moment was coming.  We had been told that Grandpa had "hours. . .up to a few days" left of this life.  With that thought, I spent much of my flight writing the following for my precious Grandpa.  I have not much more to say than what I captured in the following lines as they hold my heart and soul of the precious relationship I shared with Grandpa Cliff.  To those who did not know him - he was truly one of the finest men I have ever known.  To those who did know him - I know you grieve with me, but I hope and trust that one day Stanza 6 will be true of us all.  

For Grandpa

June 23, 2022

They’re preparing them now-

Your shining robes of purest white 

Gleaming with radiance of the Son

The saints of old and saints our own 

Our dear ones gone before

Are beckoning you o’er the invisible partition in the sky 

All our days we’ve shared are blessings

We dare not fail to praise for all these extra years

For more than once you’ve wandered here to this lonely shore 

You’ve touched this chasm 

Yet you were not through with living in this land- a shadow of what’s to come.

Yet here you come, once again, 

They say to leave at last

And I’m still not ready for you to go. 

We’ve said “goodbye” and shared our love and prayers

But all those things don’t ease the pain of the final moments here.

I have the kiss you gave 

So sweetly upon my hand

I have the prayers you prayed and all our memories

I’ll treasure these up in my heart 

And save them for the day 

When Christ will wipe these tears away, and they never will return 

For someday soon I’ll join you there in garments gleaming white

We’ll praise our Saviour who brought us home

And thank Him for bringing us through this night. 

So go with all the love we give 

Go to God at last 

Patriarch of our family- 

Join the Patriarchs of Old

Praise the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob

Praise Him for the story you’ve told 

Your life was chivalry personified 

I’ll miss your gentlemanly ways

I’ll cherish and honour your memory 

And share with all I can 

How the world was a better place because of you, kind sir

I’ll share your thoughtfulness and grace

Your poise and stately ways 

But most of all I’ll cherish our memories 

Until my dying days.