Roger, Vienna, 15th December 2011

Carole Stolz, in Vienna 15th December 2011

Roger, you passed from us this day
- a loss so deep that all who
knew you well will carry
this scar forever. No hope for
us that you are now with
Him. Dancing, singing,
preaching, joyous. We are
miserable. Guilty in hopelessness,
we should be happy,
but we just aren't.
Should smile for you,
but we just can't.
Forgive us, for now the miss is just too big.

We can't see past our selfish
tears. Our fears of passing
casting shadows deep into
our souls. Who knows
with certainty the hope of faith
- that hoping for that final breath?
For death, brings life
and stop means start,
depart means come, well done good and...
...the rest we know, but lowering
our eyes we despise
the trite condolences and wishes.
Empty kisses.
Misses.

So what, that we held you decades here?
Nothing prepared us for the waste. The flavour
of life that you imbibed died with you,
Leaving a taste of sorrow on our tongues.

Never again will we live so
fully, because you are no
longer here amongst us.
You are departed. Our loss is great. Thank you
Roger for all you were.
For the laughter, the fun,
the wisdom , the hugs,
the ready tears. You were always
fully alive. No holding
back. No regrets.
Fully there. Fully caring.
Fully loving. Fully living.
A full lfe, that's what
you shared. That's what
you were. Life. Life
to the full.
Thank You.