Those least favorite of phone calls

my father just called

a woman named Anne
passed away about two hours ago

it was not a surprise
she had been battling with cancer for many years
and recently had started losing

this morning her condition worsened
so my parents travelled to the vineyard
to be with her in what looked and proved
to be her final hours

to say that she was a friend
would be a great understatement
perhaps family that you choose is more accurate
but really for me she was a staple
a pillar and a foundation
of my childhood
of my life

she was a neighbor of my family
a close family friend
and companion to four generations
in her own way
over the course of fifty years
she had left an indelible mark
on every one of us

tough as nails
she ran her farm well beyond when most would retire
kept an eye on dancing hill for us when we were not there

summer memories as a child; riding her burro
and running from the ram in her flock of sheep
who didn't much like males of any variety
and since I was smaller than most felt safe in charging me

watching her work around her farm
learning about the animals
walking the deep paths through our woods
which she would cut for us each spring

In two months
when I return to Martha's vineyard
for the thanksgiving holiday
it will be the first time in my life
with out her presence there
and all will be the lessor for it

now
with that sense of unease
which only a death can bring about
I can only hope
that wherever she may be
she has found peace

A farewell to Anne

( photos )

Cause I got yelled at for not posting this

Muslim worshipper bathes his feet before going to pray on the temple mount

Jerusalem, Israel

circa 1994