For Cactusjack . . .

"Rain"

With words we do
So many things
Take a thought
and give it rings.

Rings of meaning
like a tolling of bell.
Drawing pictures
What's heaven? Hell?

Often a sadness
Is referred to as 'rain'.
Signals a storm,
Thought of as pain.

Then, there is sun
thought of as bright.
All things good
Given its light.

But think of a desert
all dry and parched,
scarred and burned as
sun relentlessly marched.

What does it take
to relieve such pain?
Something so simple
As a few drops of rain.

Then, majestically ever,
out of the gloom
Bursts forth the flowers
Of the desert in bloom.

Jack brought such 'sun' to our lives. The 'rain' of his illness and passing will enhance the fruit of his life. From this day forward, when I hear thunder rolling in the distance, I will know Jack is sending a flower. I will remember his gentle desert blooms, his words and teachings. I will remember his unassailable Spirit and his desire for peace in this World. I will remember the 'shooting stars' of wisdom he shared with his friends. I will remember his devotion to his family and his love. I will remember his incredible courage as he fought the devastation in his body, and I will especially remember how it was never able to enter his loving heart. Family and friends will miss the man, but his Life will gently sit on every shoulder, in every sunset, ride every gentle breeze across our cheeks, and color the hues of so many lives with every rainbow. Fly high, fly free, my dear friend, savor the ride . . .

Photo Credit: "blooms on a high arid plain in Rocky Mountain National Park in July 2001

Music "Fire and Rain" sung by James Taylor