How can i thank you

Even when as a boy
My heart would leap for joy
To be along side of you
In from Hollywood back to Hubbard
A grand reunion took place
Happy in your presence
This little boy would smile
Just at the sight of you
Mom and Dad were proud,
Sisters and brothers
No doubts, and so was I

Still we had some growing up to do,
The first to grow was you
Into the Kingdom
Out of the shadows and into the light
You made the great escape
Tragedy touched us all,
We were grief stricken
And all motherless children
God took her soul to heaven
But gave us comfort and heard our cry

At that very tender time there was you,
Your hand in mine, it was you,
Your face a shine with a glow not of this world
Over these many years still I am indebted to you
Oh I've said it none too many a time
That I love you

And how can I thank you,
How can I thank you - thank you

Mary Ellen I'm still a boy at heart,
I sing for joy at the very thought of you
So from Tennessee to Arizona
My heart reaches over this country great
Memories of that day when you took time
For me to pray changed my life forever
I've still got a ways to go
But I wanted you to know I'll always remember

At that very tender time there was you,
Your hand in mine, it was you,
Your face a shine with a glow not of this world
Over these many years still I am indebted to you
Oh I've said it none too many a time
That I love you.

And how can I thank you, how can I thank you,
How can I thank you - and I love you