Without Remorse

I have been dying to share this poem. It has been on my mind a lot lately.

Ascension 
by Colleen Hitchcock

And if I go,
while you're still here...
Know that I live on,
vibrating to a different measure
--behind a thin veil you cannot see through.
You will not see me,
so you must have faith.
I wait for the time when we can soar together again,
--both aware of each other.
Until then, live your life to its fullest.
And when you need me,
Just whisper my name in your heart,
...I will be there.

Now for the story behind this poem. When I was in stationed in Germany, I met Sgt. Mitchell Owens. He seemed to be on overnight duty, on the nights I was wide awake after work. So, I would hang out by his desk and we would talk the night away.  He was a really great guy. We just got along like old fishing buddies from the beginning. We could talk about any and every thing for hours. We used to discuss the books we were reading all the time. We definitely considered each other kindred spirits.

I don't remember the exact time frame, but he was returning to the U.S. to get custody of his young sons. His goal was to get reassigned stateside. So, before he left. He had been reading "Without Remorse" by Tom Clancy.  The above poem was included in the forward of the book. Mitch had typed it up along with a letter and gave it to me before he left. It was his way of saying even though we wouldn't be seeing each other (until Lord knows when) that we were still connected.

He didn't get reassigned stateside and later returned to Germany. We resumed our friendship, and I had the privilege of meeting his boys. They looked so much like him. As time went on, we kind of drifted as we got involved with other people. He married a lovely girl from England. And I married Daniel, my husband. I would say life was going good for both of us. Then the unexpected happened. Mitch was killed in a freak accident leaving a club one night. (I don't know if it is appropriate to share details, so I won't).  It was so sad. And periodically, I think of how strange it was for him to give me a poem that most consider about dying. I don't think either of us would have guessed his time would be so short.

So that is how I was introduced to the poem. I have always used the words of this poem as comfort when I couldn't be with those I loved, whether it was someone who had died, or someone just far away, or someone I would never see again. The poem makes me think of how there are people you meet, that you are just connected to. There's not a logical or tangible reason. You just feel bound to them, like they are a part of you. There aren't many people like that in my life. But those that I consider to be kindred spirits, I love them dearly even if they don't know it.

Whether you believe in past lives, reincarnation or an afterlife, I do. I like to think I have crossed paths with these kindred spirits before, and that I will see them again. And even though, I may not get to keep them in my life all the time, that we are meant to be together for a time.