Crossing the Bar

Twilight and evening bell, and after that the dark!
And may there be no sadness of farewell, when I embark . . .
(from Tennyson's Crossing the Bar)

I received word yesterday that a very dear friend of mine passed away Monday night. She was 89 years old, the grandmother of two former colleagues, a one-time neighbor of mine (during college), and one of my aunt's closest friends. She was a sweet, lovely, and loving lady who taught nursing at my college for many years.

It's been some 4 years since I've seen her, as her son moved west and took her with him. But I thought of her many times, including a couple of times yesterday prior to hearing of her passing. She fell asleep peacefully. Her son and grandchildren had been by her side, reading Psalms and other comforting passages. The above quote is from her favorite poem that they also read to her.

Farewell, old friend. I look forward to seeing you again someday in heaven...