Dr. Gary Dahl was one of Nicholas' oncologists. Dr. Dahl writes poetry to express the deep feelings associated with his life work. He isn't here today, but asked if I would read his poem for Nicholas. This is a poem of relationship-of connection-of faithful confidence-of a life lived fully.

And I say to you-the Gilberts' friends and family-remember relationship-in Nicholas' style. Stay close to Sheila and Lamont and their boys. Give them your love, your laughter, your "check-in", your home-cooked meals, your prayers, your faith. That is how we will all continue to honor Nicholas.

SOMETHING ABOUT NICK

Lying still yet just awake
in quiet anticipation he'd wait
For you to come and say hello
For he would keep a secret trick to show

As a doctor you'd stop by to chat
But he wouldn't let it stop at that
His hands were hiding something new
You'd have to discover what it would do

Would it flutter could it float
Was it a spider or a goat
You'd have to just wait and see
Nick kept it held in secrecy

What's the word that can best describe
A boy who's so brightly alive
Each small achievement a great success
Finally jumping, all of us impressed

An energetic boy you see
Can deal with adversity
Like none of us as yet can know
He shows us the path to go