This poem to be read
  at the end of my life

When I bid you adieu
  from the joy and the strife

A verse filled with hope
  and with love from within

To carry inside,
  my song on the wind
  
I’ll try not to preach,
  as others have done

But rather beseech you,
  to strive twice begun

To love with the strength
  that’s God given inside

Then to love even more,
  in an unending rhyme

These words are my gift,
   I bequeath you today

In the hope you’ll remember
  what I last had to say

For I loved you all deeply,
  your kindness I sought

And the memories sweetly,
  those lessons you taught

So I leave you this morning,
  and bid you farewell

I leave you together,
  bonded hearts then to dwell

All strength in your sharing,
  my love to remind
  
Your redemption awaits,
—salvation divine

(Villanova Pennsylvania: September, 2016)