for our family friend bill, who passed away new year's eve after fighting a brain tumour for three years. he is survived by his wife and 2 year-old son. what an amazing man, we're so sad he's gone. we look forward to celebrating his life next weekend.
here's the poem that was included in the evite his family sent out:
here's the poem that was included in the evite his family sent out:
Instructions by Arnold Crompton
When I have moved beyond you in the adventure of life,
Gather in some pleasant place
And there remember me with spoken words, old and new.
Let a tear fall if you will,
but let a smile come quickly
For I have loved the laughter of life.
Do not linger too long with your solemnities,
Go eat, and drink, and talk
And when you can -
Follow a woodland trail
Climb a high mountain
Sleep beneath the stars
Swim in a cold river
Chew the thoughts of some book that challenges your soul
Use your hands some bright day
to make a thing of beauty.
Or to lift someone’s heavy load.
Though you mention not my name,
Though no thought of me crosses your mind-
I shall be with you
For these have been the realities of life to me.
And when you face some crisis with anguish -
When you walk alone with courage
When you choose your paths of right
When you give yourself in love
I shall be very close to you.
I have followed the valleys,
I have climbed the heights of life.