My friend and Neighbor, Charlie G. passed away last week. This poem is for his family…

Between college semesters and in the summers,

I worked for MALSON AND SONS

building houses, schools and churches

Hubert Malson was 86,

but he’d show up at the work site, everyday,

too, as he’d say,

“…get out of Sweet Susan’s way!”

That was Susan Elizabeth Childers Malson,

81 and Hubert’s wife of 62 years.

“The happiest years of my life”, he’d say,

“So far.”

One day, a month before he died,

(On the job. Just sat down on a brick pile and fell asleep…)

he spoke to me about death.

He believed in premonitions.

He whispered to me that he’d had

three of them, about dying.

He said he wasn’t afraid,

just sad about missing Sweet Susan.

But he said he figured from the hints he was getting lately

that his time was running short.

I asked him how a guy knows

his time’s running out?

Mr. Malson answered,

“If you’re still here, it hasn’t.”

He’d told Miss Susan the night before.

Not to worry, though,

since he wouldn’t be gone.

He’d just be, “…else where.”

Now, we’re all sad about Charlie,

as I was about Mr. Malsom.

But, Charlie’s not gone, either.

He’s just somewhere else.

Living in a lovely little cabin,

built by Angels and Mr. Malson.

And Charlie’s probably telling the Angels

there’s a quicker way

to get from Earth to Heaven

if they’d just take the 2nd left turn

after the third star to the right…

He’d guarantee it’d take a full decade

off their round trip!

And the Angels are smiling,

patting him on his shoulder, saying,

“Sure thing, Charlie!

Now just sit here in the shade

and enjoy the parade!

It’s beautiful with all the galaxies and comets!

And when ever you want to,

just whisper to those you love!

Don’t worry, Charlie!

They’ll hear you and smile

’cause they’ll know you’re doing just fine!”

Enjoy the view, Charlie.

We’ll all catch up,

else where,

by ‘n’ by.