Last Ride

Last time we drove together
you in that huge, old, white Chevy
and I in Poetry paraphernalia,
we talked of bobbleheads, brothers

and breathing ---

mostly breathing.

A week later we met again;
you could communicate
with only shaky scribbling
on a crisp legal pad,
an oxygen mask on your face.

You wrote then:
"I remind myself of my father."

Years before you wrote your dad:
"Vaya con Dios, Papa.
Wait for me."

Now you wait for us.
Vaya con Dios, my son.

Marion Jablonski

Jude braved the open water with Bob's help, and sang for Paul.

Listen to Jude singing "Fare Thee Well A Stór" *

Fare Thee Well A Stór

by: Pádraigín Ní hUallachaín

As the light now slowly fades
Moonlight silver on the shore
Shadows fall along the strand
I see your face no more

Chorus:
Farewell my love for we must part
Oh fare thee well my own true love
Grieve no more my heart goes with you
Fare thee well a stor

Could the wind that blows around
Broken hearts with sorrow fill
Turn with longing to the tide
Flowing deep and still

Chorus

Silent tears stream down the glen
Fill the rivers to the shore
Silent echoes on the wind
Your voice I hear no more

Chorus

Now that you are far away
From the one who loves you well
Dark the winter cold the night
I long to see you still

Chorus x2

* Stór means treasure in Gaelic. The 'A' in the phrase is there because the singer is addressing someone, and therefore using the vocative case. So the phrase means "You Treasure", or "My Beloved".

Also check out Bob's very droll 'Afterword!'

Day read a eulogy that Bill/Lou wrote for Paul:

Listen to Day reading the eulogy

All that is gold does not glitter
Not all those who wander are lost*

These were Paul’s favorite lines from J.R.R. Tolkien’s poetry; for years he’d include them in emails and messages. The lines refer to a character in The Lord of the Rings, a tall man who chose to wander in the wild and ancient places of the world and accept many years of living in danger and discomfort. He lived his life in self-sacrifice, protecting and serving others while unseen and unappreciated by all but a few.

This character is later revealed to be a king, a man of innate nobility, kindness and great strength of character. Not a man without self-doubt, but a man who spoke the truth always, humble and wise, who lead by serving. A man who was always prepared to do whatever it took to help those he cared about.

We are here because Paul wanted to have a part of himself connected always to this ancient place -- these mountains and trees, this ice and water that have been here since the making of the world.

Perhaps it would embarrass Paul to use these next, splendid lines from Tolkien to describe him. But I think he will forgive us -- he’s well beyond embarrassment now. He is no longer in danger and discomfort. He no longer wanders, in the body, this wild and ancient place that he loved.

But Paul is not lost, of course. He is here, in our hearts always,

‘All that is gold does not glitter
Not all those who wander are lost;
The old that is strong does not wither,
Deep roots are not reached by the frost.
From the ashes a fire shall be woken,
A light from the shadows shall spring;
Renewed shall be the blade that was broken,
The crownless again shall be king.

Chris played her original composition for Paul on the Native American Indian flute.

(at right) Chris also created a photo montage of moments in Paul's life -- click to see a larger version.

Dave created an elaborate concrete 'headstone' for Paul, weaving together photos, emblems and quotes from people in Paul's life. He explained the meanings while speaking of his love for his 'little brother'.

Click for a close-up of the 'headstone' .