Finished — on Labor Day Weekend

Eight years ago this week, my husband of 54 years was spending the last week of his life in Hospice in our bedroom. This wonderful husband, father, and grandfather had never been sick (or wouldn’t admit it) until he was.

Bob had always “predicted” that he would die at the age of 72; because his paternal grandfather died at 72, his father died at 72, and his favorite uncle died at 72. He didn’t die at the age of 72, but that was the year that he was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma. It wasn’t curable, it was treatable, and it was painful.

During the last week of his life, while he lay in our bedroom with his siblings, our children and grandchildren, and close friends gathered around — I chose the time to pen a tribute in poetry, describing him and his life.

He finished his journey on Friday, September 5, 2014. How symbolic that this man who loved projects was finished on Labor Day weekend.

Remembering Bob

God gave you the strength of the mighty oak
He blessed you with the warmth of the sun
You received the energy of the raging wind
And your laughter, He threw in for fun.

Your hair was like snow covering a mountain
Your eyes as blue as the sky up above
He gave you a smile that could light up a room
And a heart overflowing with love.