In the spring of 1999 my friend Tish lost her mother after a prolonged illness. Feeling her grief, I felt inspired to write this for her, her father Vernon, and the other Boggs family members.

TEARS

Ahhhh yes, my friend! Tears! I have known many over the years. Fears! Death tears! Grandpa died, Then mama died. No bigger than a tad, I was just a wee little lad. Strain! Feel the pain! Hurting on the morrow! Pain and immortal sorrow, Linger after tears have dried. Lingers. Sadness lingers! Yes, sadness lingers on, For those who have died. It lingers on. It lingers! Yes my friend, there are rivers of tears, Rivers of tears which we leave behind, When we reach that other shore. by Leroy Mitchell, on 16 May 1999, For the Boggs family.

When I was younger, I never thought about death as relating to myself. Death was something that happened to other people. As I have grown older and the time approaches for the curtain to fall on the last act of my life, I do pray that my audience will not grieve my passing. I would hope that they don't avoid the mention of my name and that when my name is called, it will be in that old familiar, friendly way.~~~~~~ mitch

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