A relay walk, and I look down to my feet on the running track...and find these words, placed there for runners. We couldn't have said it better ourselves, Dirk....lol ;) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ It had to be "one step at a time." After all, that's all any of it ever is anyway. We're all here for a common finish. The only surety we're ever given, is the step we're taking in the present. The preceding one over, done, usually before we even realize; the ones we plan next, never any guarantee, and so, never ours to fully own in the first place. On and on and on, I went, every step physically mine, but, yours, really. Single soft footfall at a time, repeating one huge oval, time and time and time again. I couldn't help but think, how appropriate, and ironic, all that circling, like hamsters on a wheel, going nowhere, but blissfully unaware in the delusion of forward motion. And in that moment, I looked down at the track beneath me, saw the words, and froze. I smiled into the night, because I knew you'd understand. And there came precious imagery, both of us laughing til tears over the irony, reality, the absurdity of it all. But, the torch of *HOPE* was burning (literally), licking at my heels, go farther, farther.. and, too, always in focus up ahead. And all the while, words waved on the wind: "CELEBRATE!" "FIGHT BACK!" You do... And so...I did. I was surrounded by reminders, some soft as winged things, some cold and hard as steel. Flickering yellow hues of light, emanated, speaking individuality, burning bright, to defy the statistical, spitting in the very face of an entity where singularity sometimes get lost, and lives, themselves, are too often rendered inordinately, numerically, en masse. Know this, and know it well: Never, will you be some vague inclusion. Suddenly, darkness, but for the moon, stars, candlelight, and awareness of a new presence: A single small table. Finally, something concrete, in the human realm of so much elusiveness and abstraction. There it sat, like perspective itself, in such simple representation. The table small, itself the frailty of a single person, and reality of a certain aloneness, in the fight. The tablecloth white, the medical profession: doctors, nurses, researchers who fight too, for life. The glass inverted, in reverence, for those not here to join us. The plate, holding but two things: a slice of lemon, the bitterness of this war; and salt, for countless tears. But, my eyes never wavered from a vase, which held inside, a single rose. It, you see, holds my heart-things: enduring life, growth, strength, and love. I let it have my focus. I surrendered it, for always. I walked... I walked... I walked... Sometimes, yes, with concrete feet, a bit weakened on my own. But, with a glass held high in toast to you, (fulfilling the conditions), a hundred smiles at least, and my being, never once, not for even a fleeting moment, faltering from sheer joy, brought by thoughts of you. The latter... a condition that simply goes without say. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Thanks to each of you, for reading, for sharing in this one, in Dirk's honor. The intent is to share it with each of you, in collective support of him, and in a vein of light and caring. However, I respectfully, but firmly, request, please, that this particular post not be commented upon, nor added to favorites. Many thanks..and hugs all around..with heartfelt wishes to each of you, for a beautiful and easy week ahead. And you especially, Monteny... :) Nancy~*