I agree with the condolences and put my voice behind that of Bill with his
beautiful poem.
I think that most of the times we are sad it is mostly for ourselves (almost
an egotistical thing). When we mourn the loss of someone close, even a pet,
I think it is because we mourn OUR loss. The object of our mourning
actually has ALL the benefits - no more pain, unhappiness, and other things
typical of early life. We should be HAPPY for their sake, and slightly sad
for our sake. Although we are sad that they are gone, they will not want to
come back - back to the pain etc.
This is no criticism for what has been said - just my general feeling.
Gerrit Kleynscheldt
Tel: +27 21 947 8918 (Local 021 947 8918)
Fax: +27 21 947 1521 (Local 021 947 1521)
Please note the following:
Because e-mail can be altered electronically, the integrity of this
communication cannot be guaranteed.
-----Original Message-----
From: Bill Harrington [SMTP:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Tuesday, January 05, 1999 4:52 AM
To: Multiple recipients of list PARKINSN
Subject: to Barbara with my condolences
I'm sorry to hear of your loss, someone close to me died new years
day years
ago, the season makes it even harder. All I have to offer is a poem
I wrote
for a good friend who died. I read it at her eulogy, I hope it helps
you...
Goodbye?
How do I say goodbye
pay my respects
to someone as special as you?
I would fly the sun at half-mast
stop the world for a moment of silence
if only I were only able
but if I had that kind of power
I would surely use it
to bring you back
all I have to offer are mere words
rewritten, read repeatedly
through a veil of tears
knowing your sparkling eyes
will never read them
your sympathetic ears
will never hear them
in our modern, hectic lives
we all make excuses for having said, done
the wrong things
then use that fear to justify
not even trying
the real tragedy becomes
what I should have said
these past few days
numbed with shock
I have sifted through my memories
searching frantically, fruitlessly
for an occasion
where I thanked you
for your countless kind and thoughtful acts
having found none
I hope and pray
you are listening now...
you have been a true friend
I have had Parkinson's disease
for all the years we've known each other
yet, never for the briefest instant
has that ever phased you
your friendship has helped me overcome
my often paralyzing fear of going out
you were always there to talk and listen
caring and sharing
your smiles and laughter
helping to create the good times
and making the bad ones more bearable
your death has left a hole in my life
that time will never heal
but has taught me a bitter lesson
I vow, from this point on
I will tell those important to me
how I feel while I can
for now, I will offer whatever consolation I can
to your husband, family
your many good friends
I know our loss is heaven's gain
but I am still unable, unwilling
to say goodbye
so I won't
for I will see you each night in the stars
feel your spirit in the wind on my face
and you will live on in my memory
until that day
when we meet again
Bill Harrington
