Reunion Number Eight Poem by Bill Galvin

The sun was shining brightly this day
At Grove Hill Memorial Park in Dallas, TX,
When your beautiful locks were placed into the soil
Next to the stone marker of your Uncle Bobby Joe.
He lies here next to the love of his life, Patsy.

He and I both said often
That we were the luckiest guys in the world
To have each found the Love of his life.
I’m happy I got to know your favorite uncle.

It’s still early spring;
Grasses and grounds haven’t shaken winter off yet.
So, no buds nor flowers as a backdrop,
But after five days of rain here, the sun is ample setting
When it shone warmly through a very blue sky.

Cousin Balinda (who totally appreciated our gift)
Led the way to this cemetery from her place.
Your Memaw Sarah is directly in front of BJ.
I am told he and Aunt Irene took care of her
Just like you did with your Mom at the end.

I could hear Uncle BJ thank me for the tour
We gave him and Patsy up to coastal Maine in 2001.
Remember how he swapped Navy stories
With the owner of the B&B we stayed at near Acadia?
The Captain had rank on BJ, so he saluted him.
Wish I recorded the Texan and the Downeast Yankee.

And he loved the next trip up to New England
With his best friends Wanda and Odice;
Both came to Balinda’s and were glad to see
The recording of our Celebration of Your Life.

I think I know how BJ would react to today’s reunion;
He’d get real serious, sidle slowly up to me,
Look me square in the eye,
And take my hand with his two hands
In a solid shake and hold, and earnestly say,
“Bill, this is a real kind thing you’re doing,
And I want to thank you for bringing Debbie here.
There’s a place in heaven for you.” “Thanks, BJ,
And I know who’s holding a seat for me.”
“Well, Bill, I hope you don’t mind,
But I told Debbie to bring your seats over by ours;
We have a great view, you know. You’ll love it”

3-23-2015