Maryann Giardino 6/24/47 - 2/11/09

[charliegee]

a tribute to the finest woman I have ever had the privilege to know and love ... my wife Maryann ...

The Next Breath ...

we ran to you that night
ran to the room where
you lay ~ starting to go
no, not starting ...

continuing your journey
your lifetime journey
back to the source
back to your god

and our god ...
we watched
as the breath
changed ...

as it slowed, until finally
undoubtedly ...
the next breath
did not come ...

and we sat
we stood
we collapsed
in grief, in confusion

tears came easily
pain flooded our beings
for the day we prayed for
the day we dreaded had come

and we had to let you go
physically, mentally
emotionally
spiritually ...

we said our good-byes
in stunned silence
in soundless devotion
to the great love

for some of us
the greatest love
we have ever
experienced

you opened a door
for us that night, that fateful night
none of us will ever be
can ever be the same

you forged the way forward
like you always did
showing us how to live
how to love, how to die

one thing is certain
the love you were
the love you are
the love you will always be

that is what we must
carry forward
blessing all in sight
until ... until

the next breath doesn't come ...

CG 8/13/10

[michaelsees]

You are wonderfully blessed dear charliegee.
May each 2/11 be filled with Love

Michael

[charliegee]

thank you brother ...

[skyblue]

Charlie, I know this valentine's day will be a tough one for you. Your expressions of love for your wife are beautiful.

Thoughts of peace going out for you~

[Portto]

That's some really intense love, Charlie!

[charliegee]

thanks guys ... her suffering and death has become, really and truly, the defining moment of my life ... it changed me profoundly as she, herself, changed me profoundly ... I owe her so much and writing about her is a way for me to keep her memory alive and to show others just what a wonder she was ... a lot of people are concerned for me, seeing only sadness in my words, but those who can see further sense the real truth of it ...

god bless,
charlie gee

[vacant]

Kind loving thoughts with you.... and Maryann
Peace.

[charliegee]

thanks V ... appreciate that ...