Bits and Pieces
As shared by Arthur Rae to Eleanor Williams, on the occasion of Father Jerry’s death. Adapted from the poem “People Touch Our Lives” by Lois Cheney
Bits and Pieces
Bits and pieces.
Bits and pieces.
People.
People important to you, people unimportant to you
cross your life, touch it with love and carelessness and move on.
There are people who leave and you breathe a sigh of relief and wonder why you ever came into contact with them.
There are people who leave and you breathe a sigh of remorse and wonder why they had to go and leave such a gaping hole.
Children leave parents. Friends leave friends.
Acquaintances move on. People change houses. People grow apart.
Enemies hate and move on. Friends love and move on.
You think of the many who have moved in and out of your hazy memory.
You look at those present and wonder.
People move in and out of each other's lives, and each leaves their mark on the other.
You find you are made up of bits and pieces of all who ever touched your life
And you are more because of them
And you would be less if they had not touched you.
Accept the bits and pieces in humility and wonder.
Question and ponder
But do not regret.
Bits and pieces
Bits and pieces
As shared by Arthur Rae to Eleanor Williams, on the occasion of Henry’s death, in On the Road to Jericho.
Adapted from the poem “People Touch Our Lives” by Lois Cheney