My brother died unexpectedly on November 1, 2019, nine days before his 61st birthday. It was a shocking blow to all of us. There is an old wisdom saying that says “If you don’t remember somebody out loud, they die twice." People live on in the memories of those people around them, whose lives they influenced or affected. Speaking of good memories of a loved one, Michael is not just up there in the big sky, he’s right here in my heart and mind every hour I ride my bicycle which is about 60 to 80 hours a week when I’m in town.
This was made possible by my late brother’s oldest son, my nephew Michael Jr., who gifted me a silver amulet of an elephant on a silver chain with some of my brother’s ashes in them. My nephew thought I might enjoy taking the amulet with me on my bike rides. It was a brilliant idea and a way for me and my late brother to stay spiritually connected. I will forever be eternally grateful for this kind and loving gesture. In many ways the elephant amulet reminds me of the time Michael and I (along with my brother in law, Joe) went to Kenya on a camera Safari. He loved nature and wildlife, especially the majestic elephants as I do. The following poem is dedicated in Memory of our brother Michael.
The Train of Life:
At birth we board the train of life, and met our parents,
Believing they will always travel by our side.
However, at some station our parents would step down,
Leaving us on this life's journey alone.
At some point many significant people will board the train,
Siblings, children, friends, co-workers and our life’s partner.
Some of them eventually step down,
Leaving an empty seat no one else can fill.
This train ride will be full of joy, sorrow, fantasies,
Expectations, hellos, and farewells.
We don’t know at which station we ourselves will step down,
So we must live in the best way we can,
And offer the best of who we are, loving, giving and sharing.
When the time comes to leave our seat empty,
We must thank our Creator for the journey [we were given],
Praying [that] we too left behind beautiful memories,
For those who continue on the train of life.
Postscript: I adapted this poem from the author, Jean d’Ormesson, a famous French philosopher and write, who died in 2019
