(For Shirley, 10-31-1929 to 7-13-2018)

Countless stars light up our lives
And fill our hearts with brightness and splendor.
Sometimes they flash with sparkling brilliance;
Sometimes their rays are gentle and tender.

A star to me was my cousin Shirley,
Whose comforting warmth and radiant glow
Outshone even our glorious sun.
Anybody who knew her would know.

Emitting the light of true compassion,
She never let the darkness prevail
Or woefully impose restrictions
On love impossible to curtail.

And, oh, that love shone on so many.
From a place close by or even from afar,
Shirley's loving-kindness would touch you
As though you'd been touched by the warmth of a star.

But stars do not shine forever.
One sad day their brightness will fade.
Shirley's light was extinguished this week.
Though death is something we cannot evade,

The light of love that Shirley spread
On all who knew her still glows and gleams.
It fills our hearts with goodness and kindness;
It gives us hope; it guides and redeems.

The most spectacular sunrise that ever
Spread across the New Mexican skies
Would still be no match for the beauty of Shirley,
Her smile, or the love that poured from her eyes.

Rest in peace, beautiful cousin.

-by Bob B (7-13-18)