
Sunshine streams down
Generous and unexpected
On this winter’s day.
Grace, too,
As I wrestle
With my brother’s passing.
This person
Who has been
A constant in my life.
Constant too
has been his pain
Due to cancer.
Sad at his passing,
But I’m also relieved.
A man of contradictions.
Who isn’t?
Most of my adult life
I saw the positive
As he cared for others
Whether as a grandfather
Doling out ‘doughnuts and pink milk’
As a solicitor for those in need
Or a football club stalwart.
His razor sharp intelligence
Led to insightful
And occasionally acerbic comments
As well as many smiles from me
As he named a truth.
Living in Melbourne for 40 years
Has meant most of our relationship
Has been by phone.
Near the end I sent him a message
That included:
‘I am not with you but I am with you.’
In my memories and my heart,
I pray that the converse
Is also true.
Thanks Patrick. Indeed a complex man. Annette