I Loved You Well

Today's poem is inspired by farewellsThe bittersweet farewell to AugustThe bittersweet (Niagara Falls) tears of my grandchildren as they bidNova Scotia Mimi and cousin farewelland could not, would not be comforted(until I reminded them aunty Mel is coming home for the weekendand there will be birthday cake!!! and that helped a little if not totally.) I was reminded of how precious time isas I chatted with my parents last night and was so touched as mom expressed how she sometimes longs so dearlyto talk to her mother again, who passed away around this time of year over 40 years ago!and by my dad as he shared how deeply he misses his oldest brother who passed away in January of this year at age 85, But in their grief remains the calm joy as they look forward to seeing them again!And therein is the comfort of farewell-what lies beyond it...always the hope of hello again 💖 Today, whether we have birthday celebrations or not,is full of reasons to celebrate loving well!(I am seeing 3 'birthday girls' todayMy friend's mother turns 75My little neighbour turns 3and my sister (Carolyn) turns 54 💝 Yes, there will be cake tomorrow although it looked doubtful for a bitafter the first broke beyond repairwhen I pried it from the pan because I forgot to take it out while it was warm. The broken cake was soon 'rescued' by my daughter leaving for a camping weekend! 😅 Here's wishing to one and all, a weekend of loving well while we may!Farewell August... I loved you well, without regret; to wrangle with relinquishmentIs like bearing a beggar's debt no want or wish can circumventThe way of days no thought can thwart; no force can faze Time's tolling bellEach season like a love to court; each dawn a dance to dusk's farewell I knew it when we met, my dear; no longer blinded by helloWithout reserve, I held you near, suave harbinger of letting go And how we danced, while memories fell from ballads of such-and-such  From bitter-sweetest harmonies of brutal strength and tender touch Because I knew full well, my love, that time does not cater to 'stop!'That days are never long enough for love to drain every last drop Thus, I avowed, with heart so true, before the hour of farewellTo cherish every part of you, so I could say 'I loved you well' And so I marveled at the rose and suffered the prick of its thornsWhile tripping t'ward the curtain-close of summer's dew-bedazzled mornsI laughed, I wept, I hoisted sails; some that stood strong and some that fell Determined, that if all else fails I did my best to love you well My dear, today is all we have to weave what soon we leave behind Let's hope the echoes we engrave are beautiful, gentle and kindFor life is a fleet hug-and-kiss; dawn grants no twilight guaranteeThus the best we can make is this-an 'I loved you well' legacy Janet Martin As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.