Standing Reservation

Third from the front
a reserved space--
tradition made it so.
Year by year they fill the pew
with faith and hope they grow
into a family that too soon
begins to say good-bye.
They leave for jobs or school or love
or with the angels fly.
Yet good-byes aren't forever.
The bonds once formed stay true.
Children gone return again
and bring their children too.
It isn't money or prestige
that holds their place for years--
a standing reservation held by
grace and joy and tears.