"You need not cry very loud. He is nearer to us than we think." - Brother Lawrence

She lived a long life and this past week, in Clinton Iowa, with her son visiting from so far away after visiting family members and catching up with old friends. And over a steak dinner last night, her life faded quickly and seemingly without pain, so unexpected. And the sadness will come, and then it will pass. This woman had things figured out and organized. She left on her own terms, and when she left, well let's just say there just had to be a plan from somewhere in the universe. Godspeed Stac's Grandma.

A year ago John and Emily got married - seriously on what was probably THE HOTTEST DAY of the year! I swear it was bloody hot. So, A Very Happy anniversary you two. You deserve all the happiness!

And one of my favorite poems:

You Would Come

You have not made me suffer,
merely wait.

Those tangled
hours, filled
with serpents,
when
my heart stopped and I stifled,
you would come along,
you would come naked and scratched,
bleeding you would reach my bed,
my bride,
and then
all night we walked
sleeping
and when we woke up
you were intact and new,
as if the dark wind of dreams
had newly given
fire to your tresses
and in wheat and silver had submerged
your body and left it dazzling.

I did not suffer, my love,
I was only waiting for you.
You had to change heart
and vision
after having touched the deep
sea zone that my breast gave to you.
You had to leave the water
pure as a drop raised
by a night wave.

My bride, you had
to die and be born, I was waiting for you.
I did not suffer looking for you,
I knew that you would come,
a new woman with what I adore
out of the one that I did not adore,
with your eyes, your hands, and your mouth
but with another heart,
who was beside me at dawn
as if she had always been there
to go on with me forever.

- Pablo Neruda
from The Captain's Verses