Remembering "Howard the Knight"

Today, "Howard the Knight," we are remembering you again and all the things that you were...and are still to all of us who loved you so. We are realizing that our love for you reaches far beyond what we formerly thought possible. It would truly be less than honorable for us to do other than celebrate your life on this third anniversary of your moving forward. You would have it no other way...probably you would've preferred another party ....people who attended your last celebration commented that there was truly an "afterglow." More than likely your own personal touch.... your armor shining extra bright always for those special occasions. Oh, how you loved a party!

We trust that you are celebrating there in your new world... with your family and friends who are also on that side seeing clearly through the "glass" to which the scriptures refer. Perhaps you are all sitting at a big round table, as a Knight would prefer we think, discussing how to heal many of the hurts humans experience, seeking ways to help us cure cancer and other horrendous diseases and conditions. Wishing us all on this day and those past, and yes, those to come, that we all celebrate the treasure that life on Planet Earth truly is meant to be.

We feel your spirit each day of our lives....there is no denying your beloved presence as you touch us all in ways that seem uniquely, individually needed by each of us in these days when we continue learning to move forward. Our children and grandchildren are comforted by priceless memories of you and yes, dreams of you. I see YOU in them...our wonderful, amazing children (all six of them) and grandchildren, as they continue to project in their daily lives, the influence of a generous, loving father and grandfather. I see your influence in their behavior and character traits. And as sorely as we miss your physical form, we express our gratitude that you were spared more suffering...as many have done and continue to do. We remind ourselves of all the things for which we have to be grateful. We are "rich" in ways beyond description...your leaving us your legacy of love has provided us with new visions and perceptions of life and love. Everything in our world seems clearer, dearer, cherished in brand new ways.

We feel that we truly recognize your unique "signs" to help us feel still connected....your sense of humor seems still very intact.(Remember that day months ago when I asked you for a "sign" that you were "there" as I tried to do the work you and I once did together? I asked that you send a deer to our garden...and a week later you instead sent a wild turkey across the front lawn! We loved it. The children laughed out loud when I told them.....so like you to pull a stunt like that!) You continue to remind us that changing "forms" does not mean losing touch with those we love.

That must've been your special message to a woman missing you beyond belief...that woman so blessed to have spent more than half a century with you by her side,....one more story to share with our beloved children and grandchildren who shared this precious time together. Without a doubt that was you, they said.......that man with that priceless fun- loving spirit so happily shared throughout our time together as a family.

We feel your presence these days in ways that seem always to remind us there truly are no coincidences in life. Many stories have been shared among us concerning the ways we feel you "in spirit" as close as a hand held before our faces (a comforting thought presented to us by a dear friend at that special celebration three years ago). Prior to a visit on that day last fall,(the anniversary of 9-11) to a monthly antiques show you particularly enjoyed in Atlanta, we expressly asked for a significant sign from you. What a perfect day, we felt, for a special message from you. As we entered the first building, we suddenly felt led directly to the booth of a dealer friend where one of us immediately spotted two pins, both bearing Knight and armor symbols, placed side by side on his table of sale items. The dealer remarked he knew little about the pins but felt they were interesting. He had owned the pins for some time and never taken them out of his showcase until moments or so before we reached his booth. One of us purchased a pin right away...soon after I knew I must have the other. The inscriptions on the back of the pieces helped us determine their origin. And as time passed, we realized there was much to learn about those Knights of Pytheus....never having heard of them until that particular day. We learned the Knights were a fraternal order originated by two men who wished to spread peace on earth. Their Mission of Peace as a fraternal organization,(many orders,many temples still existing in multiple locations)clearly represents your life philosophy as clearly as if you were speaking vocally to us. Beyond expressing their deep desire to help bring peace to our world, their selected charity took our breath away.......The American Cancer Society. Yes, you were speaking on 9-ll in a profoundly moving way. Suddenly there in that aisle where we had discovered the Pytheus pins, we discovered we were surrounded by multiple items bearing Knight symbols. Ironically, or perhaps not so, we later (at that same show,) found other similar Pytheous pins and purchased additional pieces, allowing us to share them within our family. We cherish the message you must have wanted us to have at this time in our lives. You who once made a Peace Pole for that very special Mt. DeSales campus here in Macon, continue to remind us that we must all come together in our quest for peace and unity in a world so much in need.

You slayed as many of our dragons as Howard the Knight could possibly have slain in a lifetime...and taught us there are some we must simply learn to live with in our human existences. Thank you for such messages past, present, and those to come. You have inspired and motivated us to carry the banners of Peace on Earth.

Knowing you would wish us once again to thank our precious family and friends, the numerous members of the medical community who guided us all through those three months, the Palliative Care Staff of Medical Center( who made those last hours as special and comfortable as humanly possible).... and all others, even strangers who showered us with kindness and compassion... on this special day we are trying to reach all you dear ones once again. You would say to them that we were... we are, blessed by you all...family, friends, and even strangers who want to know your story also. You, dear Ones who stood by and do still, were truly our "oasis" in a vast unfamiliar desert with pathways forever twisting and turning on a road we never planned to travel. You all who surrounded us, supported us with your love, prayers, cards, calls, visits.. you were the true God-given "gifts" to those of us seeking the strength needed to survive and most of all help us along this path. We are reminded that while this is a very good time to be alive.. it is, as well, a good time to be helped in our transitions from life to the beyond where we must all ultimately go. Surely you, our beloved Knight, continue to remind us that now we too have the opportunity to "pay it forward" in the same spirit so beautifully bestowed by all you caring individuals who helped us journey through this passage.

So today we remember you, Howard, Our Knight,... as a truly authentic man who shared both a magical and also very "real" life with those of us fortunate enough to know you. You didn't need to kiss the Blarney Stone, although you did that day in Ireland not so long ago, for you had always been gallant and charming enough to capture all our hearts. You would today again remind us that you loved God, family, friends, this beautiful country...America, and always LIFE itself. And yes, beyond these great loves we are remembering how you so completely revered FUN itself, travel, fast cars, Harley Motorcycles, jazz, football, gardening, wood working, collecting of the old and unique (especially anything steam powered ....and your deep affection for your beloved Overlook home.) The " magic" people express they experience in our garden remains your gift to everyone who visits here, or simply remembers the sight of it.(We were so very right when we said that neither of us could do all this alone...everything, everyone misses your touch.) You were truly "The Knight Who Loved Overlook" here in your own little castle, as you called this house....and truly you are so much here in every tree and shrub and stone. Both of us always recognized that everything...every material or organic thing, is simply "passing through our hands,".... ours' to enjoy for the time allowed us.

We know that if you had chosen an epitaph for your tombstone, you would have had it say: Born to Be Happy.

Don't you worry, You dear,dear Knight of a Man... for we are all remembering your contagious, delightful character trait of " living, loving and laughing" (did you create that motto?) and honor it still as we live each day. "Ride On," to quote the bike riders,.... we can hear you saying to us all. Your "being" has helped us all to treasure each other even more fully than we might ever have imagined. Peace, Love, Joy to all, we hear you whispering to us. Pass it on.