Home > Dedications to Make Delilah,
My beautiful wife and best friend of 41 years just passed away two months ago, and I am having difficulty with my feelings. I know time is the healer, but one has to ask how to deal with these emotions while time passes. So I reach out, which is what I'm doing tonight.
At her funeral, the young nurse who drew her blood each week for a year, read a poem that she wrote for the service. I'd like to share it, with the hope that it will give you some insight in picking a song that reflects Barbara's character and strength in the face of horrible odds. She never complained about her illness, chose to laugh often, walked every day until she could no longer, and each day paid gratitude for the gifts in her life.
It is said that true character is revealed in times of crisis. She taught me a lot about character.
Incredibly the poem closely reflects our last 24 hours together. I asked the nurse how she could have known this, to which she replied that she didn't know. Barbara died in my arms, comfortably and beautifully.
The Poem
~~~~~~~~~~~
Beautiful flower
My "lady of grace"
Stay with me until the dawn of the new day.
When that comes, you can rest your head
And we will wish this away
Strong warrior
Laughter of a child
Share with me until the sun lights our way.
When that comes, I will kiss your brow
And we will wish this away
Wise wonder
Forever friend
Talk with me until the new moon
When that comes, I will hold you tight
And we will wish this away
Tomorrows come too quickly
I know now what to do
For I am a better person
Because I was loved by you
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I have found myself telling everyone with a special other to think about the gift of their lives together, and not to take it for granted. Please remind your listeners of this. Even 41 years was too short.
Sincerely,
Peter
Hi Delilah,
For 41 of my 50 years of life my father and I lived together. My younger years in his home and after my mother passed in 1986 he came to live in my home. My father had such a love for life, for people, animals and mother nature. When you live with someone that long you get so used to each other you really do not realize how special someone is until their time comes.
My father fought under General Patton in WWII. Growing up he never spoke of the tragedies, only the joys of life so we never learned about the war until he got cancer. That is when he opened up and told us the stories of his pride as a soldier and being side by side at times with General Patton. My father was such a strong and proud man, but a lover of all things good, and his emotions showed his love. We were lucky in one way to know his time was near as we helped him accomplish his bucket list. It was a joy to see his eyes light up just like a child again fulfilling his dreams.
My father loved working in the yard and one of his favorite things was my dogwood tree. Every year he had me take a picture of him in front of it when it bloomed. Early last year my father passed away. I remember that dogwood tree did not have one bloom on it last year after his passing. It was not until this year when it was full of blooms again did I realize that tree must have been grieving his loss as he loved and cared for it so much. I attached a picture I took this year of my dogwood tree full of blooms; the only thing missing is my father standing in front of the tree like in the past.
Could you please play my father's favorite song "Wonderful World?" I am sure he is looking down watching over me and his favorite tree since he could not be here to celebrate Father's Day with us this year.
Thank you for such a wonderful show!
Karen
P.S. My father was crazy about you and your show too. Whenever we went someplace behind the wheel he would ask "Where is Delilah?"
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Dear Delilah,
A best friend is someone who is there with you no matter what you are going through, when you are going through it. With that being said, I would like to tell you about my best friend Maria. We met when we were in first grade, and we are still best friends as we now enter our senior year in high school. During that time, I have experienced a house fire, five moves, my parents’ divorce, my father’s death and also the normal drama that teenagers go through.
And guess what? Maria has been there with me through it all. That's a lot to ask of a person, to stick with you when you have gone through so many tragic and depressing things in your life, especially when teenagers like us should be worrying about boys, colleges and making it through high school alive. But you know what? I never once asked Maria for help. She is always there for me whether I ask her to be or not. Now that's what I call a best friend!
With every passing year we become stronger as individuals and stronger as friends. Out of the many things we share, your show is our favorite. Both of us listen every single night, and we have been listening to your show ever since we met. It would mean a lot to me if you would recognize my best friend Maria who has always been there for me and will continue to be there for me. And I would just like to let her know that I will always be there for her. God bless.
Love,
Anna |
