For Gioia, On The Passing Of Her Father

What I am thankful for:

1. my mom's continued good health

2. the improving health of my cousin Rhonda, and my friends Doug and Brian

3. perspective...at last

Life is like an empty highway...leading somewhere...and at the same time, no where.

Our lives, intersecting, criss-crossing, passing each other, pedal to the metal...careening out of control...until death stops us in our treads.

My best friend Gioia's father passed away a few days ago...this is the first time I've been able to bring myself to write about it. It brings memories of my own father's death back in all too real a sensation. Daddy will be gone five years in June and yet it seems like yesterday. 

I wrote the following for Gioia...it's a little out there...but then again, so is she and that's what I love about her...but it is also from my heart...

His earthly daughter held the origami card in her hand. Affixed to the cover was a hand-folded crane...the symbol for longevity and within the card she knew were written feelings of love and support from her friend regarding her tragic loss, all poured out from his heart with ink onto the parchment.

She, in one graceful and elegant movement, touched the corner of the folded paper, turned it open and began to read...

He, with eyes closed tight, saw stars--golden and exploding, flying past him like white hot slender birds---an array and aurora of cool celestial beauty.
It was both familiar and foreign. New and yet, oh, so eternally old. The tighter he squinted, the faster he flew until, the stars disappeared and stardust was showering down upon his face and shoulders and hands...now, he was motionless. He opened his eyes, slowly...tentatively, and saw all those he loved around him, their eyes were full of questions and their smiles were wide and welcoming.
                                             
"Where were you this time?" they asked. "It seemed as if you were hardly gone at all."

His eyes smiled and he effected a broad knowing grin, remembering his loving daughter and the adventure from which he had just returned. He looked down at his hands, they were holding a hand-made card with an elegant white folded paper bird on the front. He knew within the card was written the wonderful story of the life from which he had just returned...all the love, both given and received...all within the folded pages of the card, and he knew that his daughter was there too, within the card...waiting for him to but open it and start the journey once again.

His mind whispered "Soon, Gioia, soon."

And with one graceful and elegant movement, he touched the corner of the folded paper, turned it open and began to read aloud for all to hear...