Photo Credit: Carline Jean, South Florida Sun-Sentinel
This is one of my favorite photos’ from Sunday’s article in the Sun-Sentinel, ‘In Sickness and in Health’ . This picture was taken on Richard’s 83rd birthday on January 24th of this year. The picture really captured how good Richard was feeling as we started the evening. As Diane Lade wrote “Richard ordered one of his favorite dishes, salmon. He started to eat but became increasingly quiet.” He was able to eat some of his salmon while enjoying his club soda with lime before we abruptly had to leave. Once we got settled at home and after his pain medicine kicked in, he was able to enjoy some of the delicious cake that we were not able to eat while at the restaurant. I know he thoroughly enjoyed the cake, and I wanted you to know that as well!
As I continue to listen to the CD, ‘Love Changes Everything’ from the Gateway Men’s Chorus, I am struck by the lyrics from the song ‘Things That Never Die‘ on track 13…
The Pure, The Bright, The Beautiful
That stirr’d our Hearts in Youth
The impulses to Wordless Prayer
The Dreams of Love and Truth
The Longing after something Lost
The Spirits Yearning Cry
The Striving after better Hopes –
These Things Can Never Die.
The timid Hand stretched fort to Aid
a brother in his need
The kindly Word in Griefs Dark Hour
That Proves a Friend Indeed
The Plea of Mercy softly Breath’d
when Justice threatens nigh
The Sorrows of a Contrite Heart –
These Things Shall Never Die.
Let nothing pass, for every hand
Shall find some work to do
Lose not a chance to waken Love
Be Firm, and Just, and True
So shall a Light that never Fade
Beam on thee from on High
and Angel Voices say to Thee
These Things Shall Never Die
The outpouring of love and support has been simply overwhelming. ‘ The Longing After Something Lost’ has been tempered by ‘The Kindly Words in Grief’s Dark Hour.’‘ Thank you, ‘Friends’, for expressing your love and support because, ‘These Things Shall Never Die.’
Don’t ever pass up a chance to love!
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The Purple Jacket 
Thanks, Chris. Love never dies.
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Pure love…pure, pure love.
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Reblogged this on Out of a Great Need and commented:
This is an example of caregiving at it’s finest…pure love.
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Hi Chris, thanks so much. I hope you are having a good Easter. I expect my daughter here soon and will share this excellent picture and accmpanying message with her and Ed.. love, harriet
my computer is more or less working since my son was here yesterday.
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