There
is joy
in the hard work, the long hours,
the bone-deep tired,
when you see their faces,
peaceful, happy,
rested.
There is joy
in the risk, the challenge,
when your soul in the mirror
is at peace, rested,
whole.
There
is grief in parting.
We carry each other's hearts
in our treasure chest
to share with friends we look for in the future;
But we will miss the people
that our people will become
over time
all the time between.
Our
grief will not drown the past.
Its well will water the growth of the future;
deep, dark and rich with the weight of memories
to lay at the roots of new growth.
Some
souls risk all
for life,
for the lives of others.
They have faces like yours;
alive with growth,
rich with memory,
with a whole wide soul open in them
and joy.