Gary

A spot of human decency he was,
And that I know a little bit because
He walked my walk here in this little town,
And felt its pressures, somehow didn’t drown.

He said they’d stopped him as they’d done to me;
In his case, others intervened to see
That he was reinstated – and he was –
A break for me years later – that’s because –

He sat there in the chair where I’d once sat;
His kindliness was there when I came back
To do the practice side of MRD;
I had to – and he helped me painlessly.

I well recall his patient warming smile;
His campfire quip (for he’d known all the while);
Our chat about my needs, our common pain;
His firm support once I’d begun again.

I hadn’t seen him ’round, guess he was sick;
And we have walked this path – the one I licked –
Or so it seems – this month five years I’m clear
Of cancer – not for him – new normal’s what I fear.

My dad died there of cancer – he went fast,
And by his death I’m living, and at last
I have this chance to finish up my task –
Addressing labor scene, for me long past.

I bought the van so I could photos take,
The day I heard his passing – I can’t shake
This sadness, but it helps to know my task
Is built upon his kindness in the past.

We’re all tied in so tightly in this walk –
Our children speaking French, and those who taught
Them in this town, our longings deep within;
Some filled, while others stopped – could not begin.

Lord, thanks for Gary and his kindly ways;
The work he did as he lived out his days;
His courage to launch out, take up new tasks;
His gentle laugh – assistance when I asked.

Be with his family now as they move on
Without his gentle presence, now he’s gone;
Though younger than I was when my dad passed,
This prayer for him, his kith and kin, I ask.

Thanks.

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