This poem I read
  at the end of my life…

As I bid you adieu
  from the joy and the strife

A verse filled with hope,
  and with love from within

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

But rather beseech you,
  your songs yet unsung

To love with the strength
  that’s God given inside

And 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 remember now sweetly,
  those blessings you brought

So I leave you this morning,
  and bid you farewell

I leave you together,
  pledged hearts here to dwell

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

(Villanova Pennsylvania: September, 2016)