This poem tells much about our father's deep reverance and spirituality. Among his many talents was that of an artist. In the early 1940's when he was living in Miami, sent there by doctors with six months to live as a result of being gassed in World War I, he came to know a Baptist minister named Rev. Whipple at the Little River Baptist church in Miami. He was asked by the good Reverand to paint a picture for their humble little church. He agonized over that picture which was a likeness of Jesus. Finally the inspiration came to him and he began his work. His work on the oil painting was so beautiful, that one of the members of the church, while watching him paint the face of Jesus was so taken that she spoke through tears "Dale, that is not your hand that is doing the painting"! Our father had that kind of effect on people.

I remember as a young boy watching him, as he did every night of his life, get down on his knees by the bed and in silent reverance, with his hands clasped, say his prayers. He always told me that I would find my own way if I only wanted to. He guided me to find my own relationship with God, and he wanted me to find it for myself without the guidance of other men, because, after all, as he said, that oneness with our creator comes from within each of us, in our own way and if we truly seach, we find and we understand. The 'Guy in the Glass' is certainly his most famous poem, but his 'My Religion' may be my own, personal favorite because it seems to talk to me. I hope you enjoy it as much as I have and do.
Peter Wimbrow