For Kathy

It is estimated that there are 1,025,109.8 words in our English language,

Way too many for me to learn how to manage.

But woven together they can build great nations,

And the men and women who speak them, distinguished reputations.

They can be used to create unions of countries divided,

Or unions of two, with a simple “I Do.”

They often express love and sometimes inflict pain,

Either building strong relationships or causing some to be never the same.

And put to a melody some can sing and others try,

Or in a book or an essay, put a tear in your eye.

No matter, without them,  the world we would not know.

 

But if words are so important and so easily spoken,

Why is it so that there are days like today?

A day when I can’t find the words,  and the right thing to say.

When out of that million I struggle for just a few,

That will make this day better…. better for you.

Then I look up from my writing and right in front of me hanging on the wall,

Is a plaque that says:

“Mothers hold their children’s hands for a while…their hearts forever”

There….. I guess I couldn’t have said that any better.

 

Postscript:

The  prayers and deepest sympathies of my family go out to Meghan, Jimmy’s wife; Kathy, Jimmy’s mom, for whom I write this; Rody, Jimmy’s dad; Tommy, Christian, and Patrick, Jimmy’s brothers; as well as to Jimmy’s grandmother, aunts and uncles, and cousins.  And also to the extended family, you know who you are, who once again are circling the wagons.