A whisper, no more than...a pause in time.
He left us.
His body, yearning for freedom, took its time...
grasping earth's limitations 'til each beloved one arrived
with
hugs,
weeping
and
fond laughter...
oh, yes.
**********
Humbly unwilling to voice the inner determination,
his life spoke volumes....
Yes, I will work faithfully, providing for my family.
Yes, I will love from my heart, unafraid of sentimentality.
Yes, I can crack-up my family with corny jokes and word-plays.
Yes, I will be a proud WWII Veteran against war.
Yes, I will be here for
my wife,
my children,
my grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Yes, I will quietly walk with my God.
**********
Yes, to France, Mt. Whitney and Kentucky.
Yes, to the Grand Canyon, Maine, New York; and D.C.;
to Boston on the Fourth of July!
Yes, to cross-country trips,
graduations, weddings and births.
**********
Yes, to fearlessly striking up meaningful conversations.
From his grand children's friends, to the mail lady.
From fellow hikers,
to the Egyptian gentleman on an unsavory commuter bus
traveling from NYC to Bayone, NJ.
From skinny dippers at the base of the Grand Canyon,
to waitresses at "Helen's Restaurant" in Machias, ME,
and, Mary, our favorite, at the "Depot Diner" in Beverly, MA.
Sincerely interested, his humble, inclusive demeanor
always resulted in shared dialog,
regardless of opinions, lifestyles or religious views.
Yes, to treasured interactions...yes.
**********
A Christmas Eve whisper...a breath...a pause in time.
He left us.
A cachexic body, longing for its freedom...slipped away.
Beyond our grief, the world rushes on...
Yet, in quietness,
eternal integrates into mortal,
infusing each of us with his blessed YES,
now...and forevermore.
