Summer 2016

Pat Moran (now deceased):

My wife, Daryl (DAZ) Moran, died suddenly March 5, 2016.   She was rehabbing a replacement knee when a blood clot occurred, causing congestive heart failure.   DAZ was healthy on Friday, and gone by Saturday at noon.   It happened so fast—I was devastated, reduced to putty.   You classmates who have suffered the loss of a spouse will understand the shock and the emptiness.   I felt that I had been scooped out with a large spoon.   I will never get over this tragedy.   I will love DAZ forever.

My amigo grande, Wally Field, caught the red-eye to Phoenix and was here in Prescott Valley, Ariz., to comfort me in short order.   My heartfelt love and appreciation go out to Wally for his support—he saved my life.   Now I face life alone with the AA creed ringing in my ears—"one day at a time—yesterday's gone and tomorrow isn't here yet.   One day at a time."

You will forgive me if I forgo class news; that news will have to be for a future column.

I'll conclude this column with a tribute to DAZ.

God's Garden

God looked upon his garden

And found an empty place.   

He then looked down upon his earth

And saw your tired face

He put his arms around you

And lifted you to rest.

God's garden must be beautiful

He always takes the best.   

He knew that you were suffering

He knew you were in pain.   

He knew you would never

Get well on earth again.   

He saw the road was getting rough

And the hills were hard to climb

So he closed your weary eyelids

And whispered, "peace be thine."

It broke our hearts to lose you

But you didn't go alone

For part of us went with you

The day God called you home.   

You left us beautiful memories,

Your love is still our guide.   

And though we cannot see you,

You are always at our side.   

Our family chain is broken,

And nothing seems the same,

But as God calls us one by one

The chain will link again.

—Author Unknown

Deceased:

• Jack R Kurtz

• Dr. H Paul Varley