Dear Travis, Toby, Beth and Family,
My heart is with you during this time of loss. Travis was and is an important part of my inner family; a brother in my early days away from home, helping me to find a new sense of home in the world. He was a fellow traveler that knew that we needed one another. He helped me know that and get good with that truth with his humor with his sheer intensity with his good heart. Travis, may this next heart breaking adventure into grief and into all the joy you brought us bring us all closer to home.
Love, Love, Love,
Catherine
P.S. Toby, I imagine you know this...but your Dad was such a rockstar. My heart is especially with you as you face this time of such deep loss.
A poem for you as you: by Diane Der-Hovanessian
When your father dies, say the Irish,
you lose your umbrella against bad weather.
May his sun be your light, say the Armenians.
When your father dies, say the Welsh,
you sink a foot deeper into the earth.
May you inherit his light, say the Armenians.
When your father dies, say the Canadians,
you run out of excuses. May you inherit
his sun, say the Armenians.
When your father dies, say the French,
you become your own father.
May you stand up in his light, say the Armenians.
When your father dies, say the Indians,
he comes back as the thunder.
May you inherit his light, say the Armenians.
When your father dies, say the Russians,
he takes your childhood with him.
May you inherit his light, say the Armenians.
When your father dies, say the English,
you join his club you vowed you wouldn't.
May you inherit his sun, say the Armenians.
When your father dies, say the Armenians,
your sun shifts forever.
And you walk in his light.