Way back in the year 2006 or so, my wife (Mary) and I along with my younger sister Ann and her husband Larry, revisited Newfoundland. It was a trip that, by consensus, I organized with implicit instructions that we were not to sleep over with any relatives, hers or ours, Ann and I, Larry didn't matter as he was from N.B.
The Great Northern Peninsula was our main object as despite having lived at home until we we were 22 and 23 years old, it was a place we had never visited. I planned our trip impeccably. Visit to Woody Island, the one time home of my aunt & uncle, where glorious memories are cemented in my head. An overnight stay at the Waynerignt Motel in Clarenvile with my cousin Wayne Williams and his beautiful wife hosted us, to an unforgettable visit. Ann and Larry, (who had not see Wayne since their wedding) were equally astonished that I had pulled the wool over their eyes about staying with relatives.
One year after our return home Ann was taken from us by Cancer. Yesterday, Larry who was much more than an in-law suffered the same fate. Saying farewell forever to friends and family was something I gave little thought to until now. Larry was family. Larry was a friend. Saying goodby to one person at a time I may be able to manage. But saying goodby to two at the same time is devastating. The following words, I penned after hearing the news of Larry's passing, is how I feel.

There's a little ice cold river flowing
Close to the place I once called home.
In that river I fished and learned to swim
Dreaming of things to come while chilled to the bone.

I have sailed my boat in those frigid waters
'Til the sun stopped shining and went beyond the hill.
As darkness spoke to me 'bout the closing of another day
I thought of those I'll love 'til my body is forever still.

Friends I knew, both girls and boys, remain with me today
In my heart and in my soul and from them I will never part.
Though death has claimed them early and more are sure to leave
I'll always sail or swim that river, my friends here in my heart.

Someday the water in that river, that seemed as cold as ice,
Will warm and take me where my friends have all gone.
I will see them again and the joy will melt my heart
And warm the waters that will take me to a brand new dawn.


Submitted By: Randolph Toope