“But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep.”
- Paul
"Creative experience foreshadows
a new Heaven and a new Earth."
- Nikolai Berdyaev
You were (and are) my "Other Mom,"
Dear from my infancy.
I've loved you since the day I knew
You as distinct from Me.
What fun I had while teasing you
With memory so innocent:
That day you had me in the tub—
I'm two.
We're both undraped...
Fear not—the image is so faint...
The rapture of those summer weeks
New Haven, You, and Uncle, too.
Library and County Faire,
Flying planes and hauling rocks,
My youth was filled with joy.
The endless 'Night(s) before Noel'
In scratchy sleeping bag...
Furniture of Gallic bent,
Crackling hearth on Advent...
Neighbors, once we were,
Three rowdy boys, my cousins,
Close enough to holler at;
Those days flew like a bat!
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Why has it taken me so long
To stop and contemplate
The treasure you've been in my life?
Why have I thought to wait?
Perhaps it's been denial.
Perhaps I've felt that, even now,
I'd board a plane, tap at your door,
Be with you once again.
I know that just won't happen...
(Yet)...
But one day—before long—
I do expect to join you.
When I do, I'll sing this song:
"Hallelujah! Jesus made this day
A special one, for you and me,
A day of joy! Your mind is clear!
I'm here! Here we are, all!
And pain is nowhere near!"
I see that day—though faint—
More clearly than the tool I'm typing on.
Clearer than the chair I rest upon.
Surely coming,
All thanks to God's son.
Tears may cloud my vision for a time,
But I know who our Redeemer is;
Alive!
And even now he speaks for us.
Jesus/God!
Not of the dead, but of the living.
I see you with him, and at rest.
And with Gram, and Gramps,
And with my cousin, too,
With Mom (your sister),
And my sister.
And with all the others who I've loved,
Those who have gone before,
Leaving me to grieve a spell
Alone on this dark shore.
For much more of 
