Forever Together Poem by Bill Galvin

I first was infatuated by you;
and intrigued by your bold innocence.
I balked for a good while, but you helped me find a way out of my darkness.
Then you drew me inside that circle you always talked about;
and you challenged me to examine my feelings,
to remove barriers to happiness, to accept kindnesses,
to express my love, to be a responsible partner.

So, ultimately, I learned to love with you.
Trading my solo travels for those with you as copilot, life became easier to navigate;
and together our journeys were so much more rewarding;
and so full of beautiful vistas and endless possibilities.

And I learned about sharing lives together;
though you have become such an important part of me
that losing you will forever leave an irreparable hole in my heart and my life.
There could never have been a better companion for me during my time on this earth.
It has been an honor and pleasure taking care of you when you needed
and helping you to feel more secure during your many lifelong trials and tribulations.
Your courage has been an inspiration to everyone who has ever gotten to know you.

Thanks to you, I am a stronger man, a more courageous person.
Because of you and your unimpeachable love,
I have learned to manage life's largest challenges and disappointments,
to work for another's well-being,
and to embrace and share the soul's deepest secrets.

You will be with me at every turn of my remaining moments;
every new discovery in my travels, I will still share with you;
at every place we've been before, I will reminisce with you;
at every decision, I will continue to consult with you;
and every laugh or smile, I will whisper a lover's secret into your ear -
because you gave me the gift of sharing, reminiscing, trusting, and joyfulness.

I will miss you terribly, and willingly allow my heart to ache and my eyes to weep.
I will strive to maintain your memory, to keep it alive wherever I can.
Your life may have been a struggle to you, and in many ways unfairly unfulfilled,
but you will never be forgotten;
you WILL have a legacy;
you will live on with those of us remaining
as one of the finer examples of living a good life while facing adversity.
In spite of it all, we have a lifetime of great memories together.

Every time someone points out a bright face,
or notices a beautiful smile,
hears genuine laughter or meets an enjoyable personality,
I will remind them of the best of the best that we are missing - that of our Deborah, and my Love.

You will remain with me; be a part of me;
we will remain, as you wrote to me in 1973 - 'Whatever direction, forever together'.

Until we meet again - 'Sweet Dreams, Honey Pie'.


January 10,2015