In Loving MemoryMy cousin JoAnne was in a tragic auto accident near Kalispell, Montana on September 09 as she was on her way home. She was killed before the car stopped rolling. As soon as I heard about what had happened, I bought a train ticket and headed out. My uncle and I both wrote poems and shared them at the funeral today. Here they are: My Uncle's Poem:
The Messenger
A Messenger has gone on ahead She carries a valuable tale About a complex, and challenging world That can leave a young heart pale.
A reborn spirit of the 60s Seeking her peace with the world. Seeking to find a simpler time In a place often found in a whirl.
A new child of the Love Generation Seeking not revolution, but resolution Where love is a common bond, And always the basic solution.
To live love is to know love, To see love in all you see. Where all are your next of kin, With compassion and understanding.
Where we live and who we are, It is all one in the same, We create our dwelling in our hearts and minds, And our dreams become real domain.
Nothing is so simple, you say? You feel that it's too unreal: Think again, and again my friend, You'd be surprised what you might reveal.
She was a lady of colors, Primary colors were her best. She painted and drew out her concepts, Seeking clarity and meaningfulness.
Our messenger has gone on ahead She sought a simpler time, Where love and understanding Reign supreme among mankind.
A sweet young lady has left us, And we send along our love. A lovely young flower still blooming, Placed in a garden above.
My Poem:
Here we are, gathered together wondering how this happened so fast we take a moment, we dry a tear trying to comprehend what has come to pass.
Here I stand, confused, yet at peace
wondering how JoAnne would want us to cope it is my belief, that she would state simply "I'm in a better place. You understand that, I hope."
"And one other thing," she says
with that patented glimmer in her eyes "Don't take one single day for granted, and care for those around you, you guys."
There are those that when you see them you feel relaxed, loved, and strengthened She was that person, She always will be For she's with us in spirit, and we'll see her again. We will miss you JoAnne | 
