with love...

...for don

i got the message that don passed away - we knew it wasn't going to be long since he'd been struggling these past weeks... it seems anymore all of the old gang mom and dad used to hang out with are all passing on... it's making it very difficult for her - for mom... to see them go. she is the youngest of the group.

don was a sweetie... he always had a ready hug, a kind word, a quick joke, an infectious laugh. of course, he was of the old school - so if ever you needed something, he was right there to lend a hand. after daddy died, he was the first to step up and let us know he'd be looking after mom - keeping an eye out for her so we didn't have to worry. don took my hand at daddy's funeral, grasping it hard in his - looking into my eyes and said "your dad was a fine man and i was so proud to have known him. don't ever be concerned about your mom, you hear?" wiping a tear from his eye, he gave me a hug and turned away... from that point on, he and his wife kept their word looking after mom. that's the value of a man - the value of friendship from your parent's friends - who end up being yours too - knowing that you can lean on them when you're so many miles away.

my heart is saddened today with this news and i thought about doing a flower in b&w to be more subdued... but don wouldn't have that really. he'd like that this is white in all its purity... with a touch of green, too, and that you can see the blush of new beginnings within the petals... he wouldn't want me to get stuck in grief for him because he's now no longer suffering - so i will celebrate for him that this is a

happy day.....