Musings on the Death of My Perfect Partner

Fresh from Birch Creek

John A Bayerl

John A Bayerl
Location
Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
Birthday
May 30
Bio
My wife of 47+ years died at home with me at her side, on November 12, 2010. She and I, together with our children and many friends and relatives, fought her cancer for four years, seven months and a week. This blog acknowledges her courage and exemplary life. She taught us how to live, and she taught us how to die. The blog also honors the love she shared with everyone who knew her.I am a retired school counselor and college professor.

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MAY 16, 2012 3:01PM

LET IT SHINE IN THE WORLD

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A year ago; on a stormy day, I posted this.  Today is a bright, shiny day.

Now I walk through life
as best I can without her
in a reality tinged with sadness.

Yet, she is with me,
hovering in the background,
always in the corner of my eye;
gently prodding, encouraging me onward.

Let our love live,
she tells me, find ways
to let it shine in the world.


John A. Bayerl, May 21, 2011


Our son, John, Jr., has a beautiful  picture of Marquette taken from a beach on Lake Superior.  It makes me happy/sad; I can see Gwen enjoying being at the beach, she loved Lake Superior, while our dog Max relentlessly stalks seagulls and sticks floating in the water.  I had the same kind of feeling on the golf course yesterday; it seemed so unfair that Gwen wasn't there enjoying a beautiful summer evening with me.  That's what it's like to miss someone who was such a constant source of love in your life.   I've learned that Gwen's death has had a way of sharpening my priorities; I came to the realization that there are few things in this world that really matter much beyond the three F's--faith, family and friends.  Most of the rest of it is, as the song says, blowing in the wind.  So, I'll feel sorry for myself and cry if I want to.

My friend, Frank, called this morning to tell me that his wife, Caroline, died yesterday morning.  We talked for at least an hour.  Like Gwen, she fought lung cancer for a much longer time than had been predicted.  Also, she was a non-smoker.  We first met them at a support group meeting at St. Joseph Mercy Cancer Center back in 2006.  Her funeral Mass is Saturday morning.  Many of our friends will be there,  while it will be great to see them all again, it promises to be another tearful event. . .  good for the soul kind of tears.

It's mid afternoon and a storm has arrived; it's gotten terribly dark, there's lightning and thunder, the wind is driving big raindrops against the antique school bell on the post outside my window.   Especially, on a stormy day; love needs to shine in the world--as always,  the poem is for you, Dear.



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Frank is lucky to have you as something of a guide for the terrible time ahead of him, John. Lovely poem, by the by.
I am indeed honored when you say my poem is lovely, Boanerges. How is it with you?
Good, my friend. Been taking advantage of the nice weather to weed the flower beds in the Peacekeeper Garden. Gruelling, but satisfying.
Yes Frank will need you now. I went to Lakehead University which is on the tip of Lake Superior. Soooo cold. But lovely./r
Dear John, another wonderful piece of writing; there is such honesty and tenderness in your words.
Sadly too many passing, too many tears, too many hours spent remembering and yet we endure and keep the fires of faith alive.
~R~
Peacekeeper Garden? Like you, I've been weeding the Gwen Garden.
Thanks for stopping by, Christine. Imagine it would be cold at good old Lakehead University--one of those places like the U. P. of Michigan, where I grew up. One day it's summer, the rest of the yearr it's winter:)
Thanks, MCS, if anyone knows about honesty and tenderness in words it is you. Keep the faith.