You hold, for me, some beautiful memories and some heart pain, not all at once; but like a duet with haunting harmonies that are part of the song.
This year I have watched a new leadership in the business community, and spent my time with island friends in a new, much slower way. This month reminded me of how each event, each Homecoming, each school tour, and every fall event that is the heart and soul of our island home is life at its finest on Lake Erie.
A friend of mine passed away last month, and as I look back at our island(s) friendship and his gentle journey with Doug and I, my gratitude and faith gains momentum in dark times.
He was the most generous, balanced, interesting man I have ever met. His humility and honor were a privilege for me to witness as a business owner and gradually as a friend. His wisdoms that he shared, his stories of history and personal experience all have a place in my eternal heart. Thank you, Bob, for every gift you gave to us and to the island. ‘See you next time’
I dedicate this poem to you by Will Allen Dromgoole. Thank you for always inspiring me to seek my joy.
An old man going a lone highway, Came, at the evening cold and gray, To a chasm vast and deep and wide.
Through which was flowing a sullen tide The old man crossed in the twilight dim, The sullen stream had no fear for him; But he turned when safe on the other side And built a bridge to span the tide.
“Old man,” said a fellow pilgrim near,
“You are wasting your strength with building here; Your journey will end with the ending day,
You never again will pass this way;
You’ve crossed the chasm, deep and wide, Why build this bridge at evening tide?”
The builder lifted his old gray head;
“Good friend, in the path I have come,” he said, “There followed after me to-day
A youth whose feet must pass this way. This chasm that has been as naught to me To that fair-haired youth may a pitfall be; He, too, must cross in the twilight dim;
Good friend, I am building this bridge for him!”
