Welcome ... my friend
No matter how sincere we are about setting aside some purely personal and private time, it always seems like something manages to get in our way. As such, I'd truly like to thank you for allowing me to share some of your rare and quiet time. I can only pray you come to view my writings as time having been well spent.
The mere fact that I love my Mom and Dad, more than life itself, doesn't even begin to lessen the penance I'll forever pay for simply not taking the time to make them more aware of this and a lot more often. I feel I must caution you, my friend, as regret and guilt are relentless taskmasters, for once a love one has eternally moved on, there are no do-overs or second chances.
Those whom I've entrusted with the draft of these writings often say how they're stunned to find my words not only reflect how they feel but emotionally echo much of what their hearts have longed to say. It pleases me to no end to hear how my words serve to soothe and satisfy their souls. Then, to be told that my writings appear to have been directed solely at their losses and with their love ones in mind is a prayer come true. A few have even gone on to explain that by my openly sharing how I got through such painful and distressing times has truly helped them to get through theirs as well. On the other hand, I'm often told that many of my passages are quite difficult to read because they stir up emotions they've managed to somewhat suppress. Yet, each revealed that though they must sometimes briefly set my book aside, my words continue to draw them back because of how they've helped them to recall so many things they prayed never to forget.
So, if you do choose to tag along on what I've been told is a very emotional and challenging journey, you'll see that my pen first hit the page within moments of my Dad's passing. Then, it wasn't until some seventeen years later, and on of all days ... his birthday, that the good Lord decided to give my Dad the gift of his lifetime; He reunited him with the love of his life, my Mom.
As you'll see, my writings are not laid out in regular chapter and verse form; instead, I chose to preserve and present them in a personal diary, of sorts. I did so simply because my thoughts and feelings, much like that of yours, never come in a formal regimented format, and usually fall well outside the bounds of any structured outline. So, I chose to capture, compose, and compile my writings just as they arose; whenever, wherever, and however they came to be.
With all of the above in mind, if my words manage to comfort or inspire you to view love, life, and yes, even death somewhat differently, please let me know how and why. And if I've somehow moved you to better appreciate not only the love ones you still have but also those who've passed on, by all means, let me know of this as well. Believe me, I truly look forward to hearing your thoughts and feelings, no matter what they might be, as to how you view what I've tried to both say and do. I sincerely invite you to write and contact me as often as you wish via:
TheAginCajun@GaryPerrien.com