Summer Solstice

[KelliH]

Summer Solstice

A solitary tear
It represents so much to me
But to him it must have been goodbye
To the sun, the moon, the stars, the sky
To his happy life

When surrounded by strangers
Sometimes it is harder to be brave
But he was always courageous
I taught him that of course
I wanted greatness for him

I think of him now
Every minute of the day
But the memories have grown a bit fainter
I can't seem to get the tone of his voice just right
Or the smell of his hair

I will always be proud of him
Though he isn't here with me anymore
He taught so many people so much
About life and about death
And about courage

How I wish I could have been there
To wipe it from his beautiful face
And then look deeply into his eyes one last time
Now I am without my best friend
But I am being brave, just like he would have been

 

[Jeremy Letkey]

Kelli, that is beautiful. Did you pen this yourself or is it just that befitting? Either way, know that my thoughts are still with you, especially at this time.

 

[nwheat]

Oh, Kelli - that is so beautiful ((hugs))

 

[Grinning Geckos]

That's a beautiful poem Kelli! I can't imagine the pain you must still feel, but my thoughts are with you as always.

 

[KelliH]

I wrote it. I'm not normally one for writing poetry but this one just seemed to flow out of me.

 

[BalloonzForU]

Kelli, That is truly a beautiful and heart breaking poem. I can only begin to imagine the pain you are feeling at this time. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family as always. ((((HUGS))))

 

[PaulSage]

That's a very moving poem, Kelli. I think Hayden will always be with you in spirit and in memory. He's very much a part of you and who you are, and although he's no longer part of this world, I think he's very much alive in you. I'm sure that he's watching over you and looking out for you, because I don't think that people we love so unconditionally ever truly leave us.

I'm so sorry for all the pain you've been through, Kelli. If there was something I could do to change that, I would. I wish I could have gotten to know Hayden, although in some ways I feel I have come to know him through you and all that you've shared of him with us. I thank you for that.

 

[KelliH]

Well, I made it through another anniversary. In some ways it seemed easier than the first one, but in some ways much harder.

 

[Jeanne]

Kelli, That is one of the most beautiful and touching poems I have ever read! I agree with Paul, Hayden is alive in you and the things you do, when you talk about him and share his memories with friends and loved ones, it keeps him alive.

I LOVE YOU KELLI!

 

[Mel&Keith]

That is so beautiful Kelli. I'm sad that we never had the chance to meet him. He sounds like an such an amazing person.

 

[Golden Gate Geckos]

"And a woman who held a babe against her bosom said, Speak to us of children.

He said:
Your children are not your children.
They are the sons and daughters of Life's longing for itself.
They come through you, but not from you.
And for the time they are with you, they do not belong to you.

You may give them your love, but not your thoughts.
You may house their bodies, but not their souls,
For their souls dwell in the house of tomorrow, which you cannot visit... not even in your dreams.

You may strive to be like them, but seek not to make them like you.
For life goes not backward nor tarries with yesterday.

You are the bow from which your children as living arrows are sent forth.
The Archer sees the mark upon the path of the infinite, and He bends you with His might that His arrows may go swift and far.

Let your bending in the Archer's hand be for gladness;
For even as He loves the arrow that flies.
so He loves the bow that is strong."


- Kahlil Gibran, excerpt from "The Prophet" cir. 1923

 

[Jeanne]

Oh Marcia....That is Beautiful! And so true!

 

[KelliH]

Wow, Marcia, that is touching. I had to read it twice, even. Thanks for posting that.

 

[Golden Gate Geckos]

I love you, Kelli. Your poem touched my heart in a way that I cannot describe.

 

[dragonflyreptiles]

Kelli, ((((((((((HUGS))))))))))

I cannot imagine how you feel every day and Im so proud of you for being so strong through all of this and the way you continue to be one of the strongest women Ive ever known!

 

[KelliH]

Thanks you guys, for reading the poem and understanding why I posted it.

 

[Golden Gate Geckos]

I feel the way Wendy does, Kelli. You are truly and incredible and remarkable woman. In the wake of tragedy, you have prevailed above all else. In these past two years, you have not only made history in the Leopard Gecko world by developing the Bells beyond anyone's wildest dream and brought us the Enigma, but you have bought your first home, have your first new car, and brought all of us together in Arlington at the NARBC show.

All of these things pale in comparison to the love and friendship you have given us. You have shared your darkest moments with us and taught us how important it is to appreciate every moment we are together. You have given of yourself in ways that cannot be measured.

Kelli, I love and admire you, respect and cherish you... as my friend and as the woman that you are. I feel truly blessed and privileged to have you as such an important part of my life.

 

[Grinning Geckos]

I'll raise a margarita glass to that!

 

[KelliH]

Wow... that means a lot to me. I feel like I have been barely hanging on the past two years, and I do mean barely. I think things are beginning to slowly get a little bit better though/

 

[Golden Gate Geckos]

Things do and will get better, Kelli... although they can never be the same again. Always remember the last line in your poem:

"But I am being brave, just like he would have been".

You are braver than you know....