Two a half years ago, just before my retirement, David sent me this poem. He wrote in his email:

“I very much enjoyed reading your book on Ecclesiates!! Made me look not only more deeply into what he was saying but also into how I understand and how I live my life with insight and faith as one.

The following is a poem that draws from some of the book and my own faith. I am submitting it to a poetry contest in Northfield with the theme, “Poetic Living Wills,” as we are asked to write about how we look at death and living.”

It is now, some two years later, an extraordinary testament to David’s readiness for death, because of how grateful he was for his life. It reflects the wisdom and clarity of a man who has learned what it is that matters, who understands the wondrous privilege of loving and being loved.

I don’t know that I have reached the point of his unquestioned contentment, but I am working on it!

I am content
“…chasing the wind…”

I am content!
Time will come when no one remembers me,
Family, friends gone, leaving not a hint!
Nothing I have done, or built, is left to see,
Hard work, success, achievements, illusions!
I am free,
Relieves me of confusion,
I am content.

Today, I love and hold you close,
Dearest wife! you my brothers, sisters,
Strangers became friends giving me hope!
Still, does not death come ever closer?
Joyfully we make plans for tomorrow!
Confront our terror, trust in something greater,
Accept the final loss that brings sorrow!
I am content.

Crossing through dark waters of death,
I will forget things I left behind,
Except for when I loved without regret!
Not when I was right! but whenever I was kind,
Working for justice with humor our human majesty.
Moments I forgot myself the best times!
The wise man of Ecclesiastes speaks of mortal frailty,
Be thankful, he says, “All else is vanity!”

I am content.