A few years ago, while deployed to Iraq, I met an incredible person named Gordon. Gordon kept me sane during the time I worked in the First Infantry Division Headquarters. At the time, he was the director of the 1ID Band and one of his official duties as such was to try and keep up our morale. I can honestly say that if it weren't for him, there would have been many days I would have been incredibly miserable.
Even though we sat about 20 feet from each other in a large ballroom during most of the day, we would email back and forth from sun up to sun down. I am so grateful that Gordon and I have remained in touch over the years. While our correspondence has become sporadic, it hasn't ceased. And nothing can make me smile quite as big as seeing Gordon's name in my inbox.
Gordon would make me laugh on days when all I felt was forlorn. Together we would walk to the chow hall for interesting meals, listen to the sound of war around us and escape into the little chapel where a piano sat, ready for use at any time. Gordon would play the piano for me, or come and find me playing during my most stressful moments.
When I got the chance to go home from my sister's wedding in 2004, Gordon helped me write a song to sing at the wedding and then recorded the background track to accompany the delightful lyrics. Gordon's poetry is incredible. His ability to capture emotions in concise, yet lyrical phrases is incredible.
Gordon once dreamed of writing a broadway show and I hope he does. He can make you laugh, make you cry and at the end of the day, he will always make you glad you've had a chance to experience his talent.
This morning, I woke up to such a joy. G was having trouble sleeping and so he wrote a poem for my sister:
Traci, off to Wonderland, to search a magic answer
The Jabberwocky, this time 'round, is also known as cancer
Her friends and family, with love, her armor do enhance
Her laughter, brave and full of joy, rings out on her advance
Her face shines with a bright resolve and fearsome is her lance
Her Vorpal Sword goes snicker-snack; the monster has no chance
Vile melanoma put to flight by Traci's steely glance
Her triumph so magnificent, she strikes a hero's stance
And Aedan; Willy; Finnegan? Why, they begin to dance
Her husband, Andy, overcome with thoughts of pure romance
Perhaps will whisk her off to spend a month in southern France
Or maybe back to Michigan, where cousins, sibs, and aunts
Can all spend time together with the joy that this world grants
The Jabberwocky, this time 'round, is also known as cancer
Her friends and family, with love, her armor do enhance
Her laughter, brave and full of joy, rings out on her advance
Her face shines with a bright resolve and fearsome is her lance
Her Vorpal Sword goes snicker-snack; the monster has no chance
Vile melanoma put to flight by Traci's steely glance
Her triumph so magnificent, she strikes a hero's stance
And Aedan; Willy; Finnegan? Why, they begin to dance
Her husband, Andy, overcome with thoughts of pure romance
Perhaps will whisk her off to spend a month in southern France
Or maybe back to Michigan, where cousins, sibs, and aunts
Can all spend time together with the joy that this world grants