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Ode To Edmund
By Karen Kettlety
He's a big bear of a guy alright.
Well-named, when he first comes in sight.
But get to know him for a while
He can't help but make you smile.
Tales of sea and ships and more
A day on Volant is never a bore.
He's smart and witty and funny too
You'll groan at all the puns he do.
There's more to him than just a laugh
Just watch him with his better half.
Patience, love, and adoration,
Their life looks like one long vacation.
New friends, new places have their riches
But the sailing life does have its hitches.
Heating, plumbing and refrigeration
Can lead to lively conversation
Problem solving with Katherine.
He's the Yang to her Yin.
There's nae a corner of the planet
That Bear won't say, "Let's go! Let's plan it."
From south to north he will explore,
The sailing life he does adore.
When faced with going east or west
It put his dreaming to the test.
"Which way to go, which one to choose?"
The northwest's the next place to cruise.
A big priority in that decision?
Choosing family was in their vision.
Now every so often life throws us a bump
It makes us pause - Bear's was a lump.
But he faced it with bravery, strength and good humor.
He couldn't be stopped by that nasty tumor.
So let me join in the chorus of greeting
As you take a pause in your eating.
Even though I can't be there
I cheer for the 60th birthday of our Bear!
And now Bear's time on earth has ended
We mourn our loss of a life so splendid.
But Bear would not want us to do that.
First he'd give us something to laugh at.
Then he'd say, "get on the beam!"
"Make your plans and live your dream."
If in some way his dreams inspire,
That would be his greatest desire.
Dream big dreams and see them through.
That's what he'd want us all to do.