One by one, I must let go,
Of all the things I treasure so.
My wife, my family I love so much now,
By grace I must let them go somehow.
For when my time on earth is finally done,
When I my race have fully run,
Let me love You above all the rest,
In God my hope I learn to rest.
Until then let me treasure them all,
As gifts that on me from heaven did fall.
Give me patience and kindness and a meek heart,
That, through me, Your praise may truly start.
In my generations may Your name be raised,
Alone as the One worthy to be praised.
When finally my family must lay me to rest,
They’ll know that for us that end is best.
Deane Wassink
May, 2002