Wednesday, May 21, 2008

Every heart has its secret sorrows, which the world know not;
Often times we call a man cold, when he is only sad. Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
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Good Morning, my friends. I have had internet problems for the past few days and have been absent from cyperspace. It seems to be working this morning.

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As you all know, I have been writing quite a bit about my friends Joe and Karl and have spent quite a bit of time with them the past few weeks. I was by there yesterday for about an hour. Karl's breathing was heavy and he was just out of it. Totally unaware of anything.

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At 10:45 last night the phone rang and it was Joe. Karl had crossed over at 9:30 PM. I feel joy that my friend is no longer suffering. I feel joy that Joe is no longer having to go through the pain on a daily basis of seeing his partner of 29.5 years suffering. It has been a quick 13 months since the diagnosis.

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This is a poem, my favorite, that I have had for over 40 years. I shared it about a year ago. I want to share it again, except I am dedicating it to Karl.

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ON FRIENDSHIP

The sun rises,

Bringing to a darkened world, Light.

As she traverses the heavens,

She warms the earth,

Gives the Corn strength to grow

And lights our way.

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Then comes the hour when she must set;

Vanish from our sight.

Yet long after the darkness,

Because of her absence

The ground remains warm beneath our feet,

The corn continues to grow and flourish.

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And, so it is----with friends.

They come into our lives;

Lighting our way with understanding;

Give us food for growth by encouraging us

And warm our hearts with kindnesses.

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Yet like the sun,

Friends, too must part.

However, neither miles

Nor time can dim nor cancel

What has transpire between me and thee.

When we sit alone with our thoughts,

The pleasant recall of our moments past

Will continue to warm the spirit,

Give courage to the heart,

And restful comfort to the mind.

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Sunset time is with us now...

So I say not good-bye, Dear Karl.....

Till the next sunrise.

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Today I am grateful for:

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God, my Higher Power

My Sobriety

Mamie, my schnauzer

Memories of Dolly.

My Sponsor.

That Karl Dutt is at peace

The incredible strength I have seen in Joe Cooney

The unconditional love and support from the Cooney and Dutt families.

Being able to be there for my friends.

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Y'all be pretty now, ya heah.

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May 21 The work of the soul is to wake yourself up. The work of God is to wake everybody else up. Meditations from Conversation with God Book 1 page 142