The Green Man – In Willie’s Honour

Sometimes you meet someone and you know they’re going to leave an indelible mark on your soul. They make you feel alive and you don’t have to pretend to be anyone else. That was Willie, our Green Man. He could grow anything and he knew the names of scores of plants and trees. He always seemed so serene and at peace with himself. You’d often find him sitting quietly, his long beard resting on his tummy, just absorbing the beauty of nature.

We miss you Willie. We miss your jokes and your wise words. We miss having a beer with you on the farm surrounded by all your clivias and your beautiful garden. But you’re looking after God’s garden now and your legacy lives on in our garden through all the plants you so loving shared with us. Thank you my dearest friend <3

For Willie

God looked upon his garden
And found an empty place.
He then looked down upon this earth
and saw your tired face.

He put his arms around you
And lifted you to rest.
God’s garden must be beautiful
He always takes the best.

He knew that you were suffering
He knew you were in pain.
He knew you would never
Get well on earth again.

He saw the road was getting rough
And the hills were hard to climb
So he closed your weary eyelids
And whispered “Peace be thine.”

It broke our hearts to lose you
But you didn’t go alone
For part of us went with you
The day God called you home.

You left us beautiful memories,
Your love is still our guide.
And though we cannot see you,
You are always at our side.

Our family chain is broken,
And nothing seems the same,
But as God calls us one by one
The chain will link again.

Author: Unknown

RIP our dearest friend. Thank you for showing me that the green man isn’t just a myth.