In the end

it didn't matter

where they lived,

what they had,

or who they knew.

In the end

what mattered

was how they

handled mistakes

and opportunities

and how they treated

the ones who loved them,

and the ones whose lives

they touched

or should have.

​

Some are "gone too soon.”

That others lived long 

doesn't ease our

sense of loss .

We are better for having

been touched by their wisdom, sacrifices, contributions, intellect,

love, and support.

​