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[Mervap]

Many of you may know that my parents split up when I was about 5, and that I didn't see him again for 8 years...I only say this to give some perspective. A few years after he left, he was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis...as part of his therapy, he began writing poetry. I read the small, pamphlet-like book he got published back then and didn't think much of it. I mean, I thought it was good, but my history with him prevented me from having any kind of objective opinion. I found this poem pressed in one of my Mom's dictionaries today while doing some cleaning...time has given me some clarity about what his feeling might have been, as I am now a couple of years older than he was when he wrote this.

"I have traced, re-traced
 And chased again,
 The fleeting dreams of life
 And of life again, without rue.

 Leaning toward the winds of time,
 I feel the soft breeze of forever
 Placed for eternity
 Gently behind my cheek."

I know for a fact he had some regrets.....since he recently passed on, it puts this verse into greater focus.

[Greg]

I just read that about 8 times over and over.  I don't have words to describe what my feelings are from that; it's a very complex thread of ideas.  It's just a brilliant piece of writing, and thanks for sharing the poem and background with all of us Mervap.

[Mervap]

He was a complex guy, my Dad, and oftentimes didn't have a reason for some of the things he did...oddly, even though he pretty much abandoned us for those years, I didn't doubt his love for me.