21 Comments
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Michele Wood's avatar

My favorite lines

Grief is not theater.

Memory does not perform.

There is no uniform for mourning.

Let this day change you.

Even a little.

Let the remembering cost something.

It should.

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Esther Stanway-Williams's avatar

Good grief…said without intentional irony…this means so much to me Joe. You speak directly to all grievers. I feel a sense of awe in belonging to such a group. Thank you 🙏

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deester's avatar

Utterly every word... What a beautiful poem this is…

My dad always says the only way to honour the dead is to celebrate the living and just really LIVE and I try to do this every single day.

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Joe Nichols's avatar

Thank you so much Deester, I am of the same mind. Live like the sacrifice mattered.

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Stephanie C. Bell's avatar

Holy. Thank you.

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Marjorie Pezzoli's avatar

“Let the wildflowers say something first.” 🌸🌻🌼🤍

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Joe Nichols's avatar

My favorite line in this piece. Thank you!

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Harriet C.'s avatar

This one is not only beautiful but reverent, Joe.

It reminded me my first All Saints' Day in the US, how I didn't know where to go to pay my respect, so far from home and our traditions.

I went to church to light my candles, but there were only tiny push-buttoned lamps... and the candles I had stayed in my bag.

but I still remembered.

I wish I had this guidance back then.

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rena's avatar

Possibly the most beautiful, fitting tribute to those we remember.

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Teresa Diane's avatar

This is so beautiful. As a middle aged women living without my parents or in-laws. It was a needed read. Thank you!

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Teresa Diane's avatar

*woman

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Nazish Nasim's avatar

Beautiful beyond words, Joe. Respect.

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Rachel Morgan's avatar

I love this. Sometimes I don't know how to grieve and I feel like you opened a doorway.

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Richard Walter's avatar

Such a beautiful way to remember. ✌️❤️

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My Walk's avatar

💞

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Deborah Thompson's avatar

Breathtakingly beautiful, Joe.

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Debra Martin's avatar

💖🫂

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Liz Gauffreau's avatar

This poem has affected me deeply. Any superlativies I could say would just sound trite--so I'll just say thank you for writing and sharing it.

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Stephanie Marie 🌀's avatar

As with most of your writing, this gave me chills. Thank you for your service, Joe.

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