Today I attended the funeral of my brother-in-law, Jerry. He was married, had two sons, worked for 30 years as a self-employed building contractor, and loved nature. He climbed all 46 of the Adirondacks mountain peaks. The room was packed with friends, neighbors, and family who came to say goodbye. There was a tremendous outpouring of love for Jerry. My mind is so full of all of the beautiful reminiscences, quotes, anecdotes, stories, and descriptions of the man that I am at a loss as to what to say on this page tonight. All I can do is tell you a little bit about him through the following poem that I wrote for him.
For Jerry
When I think of you, Jerry,
I think of mountains
and oceans,
your arms and hands
gentle yet well-suited
for climbing
and fishing
and building.
I think of your smile
and of fatherhood
and of sticking with a plan,
and of your interest
in our family
and in many things
other than yourself.
I’m so sorry you are ill
but I’m thankful that you feel no pain
I hope for your recovery
and yet I know that you are climbing
the steepest mountain of your life.
(Is it number 47?)
And we are here with you
calling out to you,
steadying your feet,
handing you a rope,
but we don’t need to do that
you can handle it
you with those mountains in your eyes.
Some of us are up ahead,
and others of us, well,
we aren’t too far behind
we’re keeping our eyes on your light
shining like a beacon on the mountainside.
A beautiful poem, Lori. My thoughts with you and your family.
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Thank you so much.
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Lori, I am honored that you traveled to attend my husband’s (your brother in law) funeral and support us all through this challenging time. It’s a beautiful poem and I’m sure your poem touched many people’s lives as they read it on the display at the funeral.
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Thank you, dear sister!
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This is a beautiful poem that refuses to be sad even though it has much reason to be so. It chooses instead to be optimistic.”I’m sorry you are ill but I’m thankful that you feel no pain I hope for your recovery and yet I know that you are climbing the steepest mountain of your life.”.I extend condolences to you and your family at the recent passing of your brother-in-law.
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Thank you, Edward.
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A wonderful eulogy poem Lori. Sorry it has taken me all this time to read it but I’m so glad I did and got to know your brother-in-law a little better in the process. He climbed that final mountain and now we will never forget him, thanks to his endearing endeavours and your kind, passionate words of remembrance.
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Thank you, David! You are a very kind person.
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