Saying Goodbye

A few weeks ago, I received a shocking phone call letting me know that one of my friends had passed away suddenly. Jim was only 44. We had been friends since I was in college...at least 15 years...and he was such a wonderful person. He was a great friend and support in tough times and always full of positive thoughts and kind words. When I found out, it hit me really hard. It doesn't make sense that someone so young and with so much more to do and see could have passed on. It is times like this, that I actually start to question my Roman Catholic upbringing - if there is a God, why he would take someone so young and not an older person who has already lived a full life and doesn't want to live anymore. It also caused me to think about my life and how I need to take more time to cherish the little things...for we never ever know when our time will be up.

I received a card in the mail from a close friend when they heard about Jim's passing. They knew how much it upset me and it did bring me comfort and it has helped me to bring some closure on not being able to attend Jim's memorial service.

It was taken from the writings of A.L. Frink and read:

Near shady wall a rose once grew,
Budded and blossomed in God's free light,
Watered and fed by morning dew,
Shedding its sweetness day and night.

As it grew it blossomed fair and tall,
Slowly rising to loftier height,
It came to a crevice in the wall
Through which there shone a beam of light.

Onward it crept with added strength,
With never a thought of fear or pride,
It followed the light through the crevice's length
And unfolded itself on the other side.

The light, the dew, the broadening view
Were found the same as they were before,
And it lost itself in beauties new,
Breathing its fragrance more and more.

Shall claim of death cause us to grieve
And make our courage faint and fall?
Nay! Let us faith and hope receive -
The rose still grows beyond the wall,

Scattering fragrance far and wide
Just as it did in days of yore,
Just as it did on the other side,
Just as it will forevermore.



Jim, I hope I was as good a friend to you as you were to me. I can only hope that you know how much you are loved and will be missed. I will always hold close to my heart, memories of you, rest in peace, Jim.