Peaches is gone. And through tears I listen to Billy tell me of him; how long they'd known each other. Passings can be so hard; and I know that no words of comfort can calm the suffocating feeling of loss. I know this loss; each of us does.
And I think of the passings I've witnessed. Of loved ones now lost that I miss. I think of the temporal nature of this existence. And I remember Jeanne. (All good things come in red and white.)
And I remember my great grandfather who taught me to whittle, and my great grandmother who gave me snuff. I remember both sets of grandparents; my grandpa that taught me to use a hammer, and my grandfather that taught me to hunt, my grandmother's great big hugs and constant acceptance (unconditional), and yes, I remember you too grandma (for I know you still hear me). And there was Yuri whom I barely remember, I was so young. And Ruff and Tumble went to live in Alabama and there they died doing what beagles love best - chasing raccoons. I remember Ray's smile; the warmth I felt in his presence; the future felt so bright then (he was first). And then Wally, ever cheerful, he'd light up any room, and Jerry, who before his passing, took care of Jimmy until he died; I remember Jerry's baptism in the Trinity river and how blessed I was to be his only friend to attend; he died alone. And Terri, who brought me back from Mexico when I didn't think I'd come home, who taught me that everything's better in a casserole, and who didn't have the heart to take his kitty when it was time (I wish I could recall his name); Terry was my best friend, never before and never again -- thank you dear man. And there was Dan who always winked at me, and Mark, ever the princess. And I remember Tim, his Mickey Mouse tattoo and a smile to warm you through and through; such a shame - wish I knew, wish I could've hugged you/ helped you/ held you/ made it better, so young, so young. And I still feel the pain of Dexter's passing. And then there was Jeremy whom I didn't know but who always smiled at me from across the room.
And I think of the war, people dying. These are loved ones to someone; they'll be forever missed. I know that feeling.
And so I wonder about my time here, however short or long we never really know. And I realize that this will change little in my daily routine; save the reminder, ever constant now, of this temporal existence.
| "....If our friendship depends on things like space and time, then when we finally overcome space and time, we've destroyed our own brotherhood! But overcome space, and all we have left is Here. Overcome time, and all we have left is Now. And in the middle of Here and Now, don't you think that we might see each other once or twice?" |
|
Richard Bach |
(((BIG HUG)))
geoffy
:{)>
Last Updated: 03/23/03
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