When They Told Me You Were Gone

Our community has suffered the tragic and unexpected loss of friends in the last few weeks.  This poem is a lovely tribute.

By Sandi Gunderson Warner,

When they told me you were gone

I cried

not for you or me

for those who will never know you

whose lives you will never touch

as you have touched mine.

I cried

not for the sorrow of loss

for the joy of having found you and

the discoveries within ourselves

that we shared.

I cried

not out of sadness

out of happiness for the laughter, the excitement,

the moments we celebrated with childlike delight

because we were together.

I cried

not because you were taken from me

because of what you gave me

understanding, strength, encouragement, friendship, love

you had so much to give.

I cried

because you are alive in my thoughts,

in my heart, and in my soul, and 

I am more alive because of you.

When they told me you were gone

I cried

not for you and me

for those whose lives I can touch

because you have touched mine.