Tag Archives: death

Remembering Alan V. Vaskas

Yesterday I learned a long-time Friend died. We met in January, 1970, while he was in Walter Reed Medical Center as a Vietnam veteran. I wrote about that here: jessandunnotis-writer.com/2015/11/11/m…

It was an extra-ordinary (sic) friendship spanning almost six decades and begun with a long walk along devastating corridors at Walter Reed. Neither of us could have guessed where our lives would lead us nor how long we would sustain our friendship.

When Janet called to tell me you were dead she apologized for “dropping this bomb”. There was no other way to say…

Even though you’re no longer on this earth, Alan, to share good conversations, laughter, talks about current events, family and all; for me, our friendship will continue until I pass over. Until we meet again…

A long time ago I promised I would write a poem trying to describe a moment in time when you were hit in Vietnam. That piece was begun, started and stopped, and begun, again, more than once. I believe I have the nut of it now. I will keep that promise.

Your race is run, Alan. Rest in eternal peace. Your memory will always be a blessing. 🙇🏼‍♀️🙏🏼🫶🏼🕯️

My Sons

Stepping into this morning’s light, it’s the same as yesterday’s but not. My heart breaks open, knowing that, someday, I’ll have to go away. Tears of sorrow. Tears of joy. Who will come and comfort me? Who will come and comfort you after I go?

@JessanDunnOtis (c) #Writer

Happy Birthday ~ poem

Happy Birthday

Can you remember;

or, is it only a story

told and told until it becomes

what you believe is your reality

 

That day you mysteriously passed

from one realm into the next,

having floated in that seawomb

of oblivion

 

Yelping, speechless, totally dependent –

one year later a celebration of one year

passed; and, on and on until there are

no more

 

Some I’ve known have come and gone so fast

it took my breath away and, to this day,

their sudden loss is felt

 

Others stayed for many years, celebration

after celebration until, finally, all the

vital parts slowed down, faded, failing, slipping

into Rest

 

Loved short or long (some unknown, but

told of or heard on the evening news)     It is

the way we all must go — from flesh to flesh

and dust to dust, we do not know the number

of our days

 

(In this dark, still night I think about these things)

 

The coming in

The going out

 

It is the Spirit that survives, lives on

 

Only for a moment or two (however short

or long that is) does Spirit take body and is

named

 

Happy Birthday

Birth Day

Birth

Day.