Canadutch
The other day I got a package in the mail from my friends Gail and David, it was the coolest looking package.. wrapped in a map. When I opened it, it included an M&M figure full of tiny M&M’s, a big bag of Hershey Kisses, a desk calender about knitting and two CD’s of 80’s music. One of which was Alphaville – Forever Young.
David and Gail have been married since October, he was diagnosed with cancer in August. For those of us living far away, all we could do was keep track of their lives via their blogs and the occasional session on Skype or by phone. You may remember the story of my Unlucky Bamboo that I tried to send them a while back..
Thursday I read Gail’s blog and saw that her sister in law posted that Gail had taken David to the hospital by ambulance that morning as he was becoming unresponsive through the night. On Friday afternoon I phoned her at the hospital and she told me the news that the doctors have decided to stop all treatments and David would have a few weeks, at most, to live. That she should contact his friends and family right away…
When I listened to her describing David’s state, it reminded me so much of how Nana was in her last days. The memories of the dazed look in her eyes and the confused mumbles brought on by the morphine, sitting by her bedside waiting for one of those brief lucid moments where I had the real Nana back, even just for a minute. It was hard not to cry on the phone with her as my heart was breaking both from my own memories and the sadness of her situation. I wished more than anything that I could reach out and hug her but all I could do was listen and try to let her know I cared.
This morning I went to her blog again and saw that her brother posted a message. That he had spoken to Gail and David’s condition had grown worse and he wasn’t expected to make it through the night. It’s morning here in the Netherlands, but still night for them… I don’t know what is happening but my heart aches just to think of what she must be going through at the moment. I hope she is surrounded with friends and loved ones because when I spoke to her she sounded so alone.
Such a horrible time of year for this to happen, so unfair for it to happen to two such wonderful people.
On Gail’s blog she requested that David’s favorite poem, which was read at their wedding, be shared with their friends. So I am going to share it here with you…
Autumn
by Garrison Keillor
Here on an autumn night in the sweet orchard smell,
Sitting in a pile of leaves under the starry sky,
Oh what stories we could tell
With this starlight to tell them by.
October night, and you, and paradise,
So lovely and so full of grace,
Above your head, the universe has hung its lights,
And I reach out my hand to touch your face.
I believe in impulse, in all that is green,
Believe in the foolish vision that comes true,
Believe that all that is essential is unseen,
And for this lifetime I believe in you.
All of the lovers and the love they made:
Nothing that was between them was a mistake.
All that we did for love’s sake,
Is not wasted and will never fade.
All who have loved shall be forever young
And walk in grandeur on a cool fall night
Along the avenue,
They live in every song that is ever sung,
In every painting of pure light,
In every pas de deux.
Oh love that shines in every star
And love reflected off the silver sea.
Love, a gift to all who would try,
And yet, now held by you and me.
Forever Young… a term that will always make me think of David and Gail and how they fit more love, excitement and experiences into the short time they were together than many people hope to in a lifetime.
