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| The Light has Dimmed |
On Monday, September 11, 2006, Galen Rittenhouse died unexpectedly. I lived next door to Galen for many years. His daughter Sherry and my son Jim fell in love and married twenty-one years ago. Galen was a family man. He and his wife Janice raised three daughters and four grandhcildren. He was a man of good humor and was well-liked by everyone who knew him. He will be missed by one and all.
I looked for a poem with which to honor Galen, and came up with this poem by Thomas Moore. As we get older and so many friends depart this life, we often find meaning in brighter days gone by. Here's to you, Galen! You were a bright light and you will be missed.
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The Light of Other Days Oft in the stilly night, Ere slumber's chain has bound me, Fond Memory brings the light Of other days around me: The smiles, the tears Of boyhood's years, The words of love then spoken; The eyes that shone, Now dimm'd and gone, The cheerful hearts now broken! Thus in the stilly night, Ere slumber's chain has bound me, Sad memory brings the light Of other days around me. | When I remember all The friends so link'd together I've seen around me fall Like leaves in wintry weather, I feel like one Who treads alone Some banquet-hall deserted, Whose lights are fled Whose garlands dead, And all but he departed! Thus in the stilly night, Ere slumber's chain has bound me, Sad Memory brings the light Of other days around me. - Thomas Moore (1779 - 1852) |